Green Building
Position
The issue of climate change has taken hold of the American community, leading to many municipalities trying to ''out green'' one another, especially when it comes to new construction. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that carbon dioxide is a pollutant and states appear to be taking the authority to regulate this pollutant. Portland, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, Boulder and New York all have either started implementing legislation forcing developers to adhere to stricter environmental building guidelines, have proposed new guidelines or created ''carbon taxes.'' Portland is considering a ''carbon tax'' on new buildings that cannot meet a 45 percent increase in energy efficiency over the current code and that all buildings have an energy efficiency inspection. Boulder taxed electricity in 2006 and called it the first ''carbon tax'' in the nation. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for a national ''carbon tax.'' Chicago has mandated stricter environmental requirement in all city buildings. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has introduced legislation that would require all future renovations and new construction of residential and commercial buildings to meet more rigid environmental guidelines developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The U.S. Green Building Council and its rating system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), have captured most of the media attention focused on green building, but the rating system is primarily for commercial buildings. NAA/NMHC has been participating in the development of a National Green Building Standard (NGBS) approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Unlike LEED, the ANSI NGBS includes provisions specifically addressing green building issues for apartments and will work with existing building codes. This program will be launched in early 2008.
- Seattle proposed that all municipal buildings being renovated or newly constructed must meet the LEED Gold certification.
- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco will apply environmentally sustainable development principles to all of the city's new affordable housing developments. With this announcement, San Francisco becomes the first city in the country to adopt green construction standards for housing targeted to low-income residents. Newsom has also introduced legislation to require all government and private future renovations and new construction of residential and commercial buildings to meet more rigid environmental guidelines developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. If passed, the ordinance would be the most far-reaching in the U.S.
News
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Contractor sees a green future
Sep 7, 2010 — The News and Observer
...on the green bandwagon," Ferrel said. Despite the competition from more established companies, Ferrel and Harris' company, Green Horizon, has managed to carve out a niche for itself in green contracting. Ferrel and Harris say that because they are not in the business of selling HVAC units, windows or insulation, they are able to provide their customers with independent advice about what their homes need to become more energy efficient. Green Horizon's revenue, which was... -
Yes you can build a low-cost '''green' house
Sep 6, 2010 — Lexington Herald-Leader
That saves money because fewer studs are needed, and more insulation can fit in the walls. -
Affordable housing scarce in R.I.
Sep 5, 2010 — The Providence Journal
Book said. Those 12 "affordable" communities are Burrillville, Central Falls, Coventry, East Providence, Glocester, Johnston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence (not including the East Side), Warwick, West Warwick and Woonsocket. HousingWorks RI is a consortium of nearly 140 organizations that promote the development of affordable housing in Rhode Island. At an Aug. 31 breakfast meeting at the Crowne Plaza hotel, HousingWorks RI executive director Nellie M. Gorbea... -
Farmland is being readied for a nuclear crop
Sep 5, 2010 — The Kansas City Star
But because the new plant is a private development, it will be on the local tax rolls for the first time. Honeywell wanted something smaller and more efficient. It costs $400 million annually to operate the current facility, and a new plant would save about $100 million a year, federal officials said. In January 2008, Congress authorized a proposal that allowed the agency to lease the project from a private developer. -
Real estate
Sep 5, 2010 — The Arizona Daily Star
The fountain adds aesthetic appeal and drowns out the street noise from nearby Mountain Avenue, he said. "The biggest thing is compromise," Drew Lutz said. The ultimate aim is to sell the house and make a profit. The 2,000-square-foot house -- listed at $440,000 -- is no doubt a higher-end product. Also, Drew Lutz said he's seen similarly priced homes in the area sell. Both Lutz and Miller agreed on another point. -
Being green at home doesn't require a lot of green
Sep 4, 2010 — The Progress-Index
The nonprofit builds and renovates houses that are energy efficient and affordable. The houses are built in accordance with EarthCraft House guidelines. -
NMCC to invest in green projects
Sep 4, 2010 — Bangor Daily News
NMCC would use the savings to repay the MCCS loan. Plans are under way to revise the current building energy systems curriculum across NMCC's construction trade programs. The construction trade programs will include additional courses in energy auditing and solar domestic hot water. -
Monessen set to begin bond-financed facelift
Sep 3, 2010 — The Valley Independent
Harhai said 84 parking spots will be added along the road. n $1 million to repair streets not eligible for improvements through state Community Development Block Grants. -
Oklahoma touts energy-efficient state building
Sep 3, 2010 — The Daily Oklahoman
...green buildings put together by the U.S. Green Building Council. Renewable energy provides much of the power needed to run the building. The building is still hooked up to electricity, but only uses that power when renewable sources can't meet the need. Improvements needed The improvements are part of a $2.5 million renovation on the building, taking an outdated building and making it a show piece of energy efficiency, Ross said. The low-slung building next to... -
Tester gets earful at listening session
Sep 3, 2010 — Independent Record
People know we're not out of the woods yet," Tester, a Democrat, said after the 70-minute meeting. Tester told him it's unlikely the credit will be revived. Mike Munck, a vice president with St. Our government needs to be held accountable," he said. "We've got to quit bowing down to the rest of the world.
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City gains about 7,000
Sep 7, 2010 — Winston-Salem Journal -
Contractor sees a green future
Sep 7, 2010 — The News and Observer -
EDITORIAL
Sep 7, 2010 — The Virginian-Pilot
