New column designed to hit home

GreenWays, the weekly section on sustainability in the Chico News & Review, celebrates its 18-month birthday this week. (Yes, we’re counting its age in months—it’s our precious baby.) Over that time, we’ve run a wide range of stories that hit close to home. Now we’re launching a regular feature that’ll take that mission literally.

Sustainable Space is set to debut Oct. 30. Each week, the column will tackle an element of the green building movement, spotlighting what’s being done and can be done to make your home or workplace more environmentally friendly. That could mean materials that increase energy efficiency, technology that fosters health, or renovations that could save property owners money in the long run.

Navigating this ever-changing field requires expert guides. We’re fortunate to have two of them—pre-eminent professors from Chico State University.

Lori Brown is chair of the Construction Management Department. The title of her course this fall, “Green Building Practices and LEED Certification,” provides the perfect snapshot of her expertise. On campus and off, she teaches Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, giving her particular insight into commercial and campus construction.

Greg Kallio, a former department chair, is a professor of mechanical engineering. His courses include thermodynamics, energy systems and air-pollution control; his research, through the Lantis professorship, focuses on “zero-energy homes"—that is, incorporating renewable-energy and energy-efficient technologies into residential construction.

Don’t expect academic treatises here—they want to share their knowledge and perspective with their North State neighbors, not just industry insiders. Their columns will reflect their personalities and personal experiences. Greg and Lori both look forward to your feedback and questions via <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> </script>.

Check out Sustainable Space in this section next week.