As a result of the more rapid adoption of solar energy measures by homeowners and businesses in response to state and federal incentives, the US Department of Energy commissioned a study of the effectiveness of current laws pertaining to solar access. Solar energy systems require direct access to sunlight to operate effectively and efficiently. The [...]
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On October 8, 2010, Henry Gifford and Gifford Fuel Saving, filed a complaint against the U.S. Green Building Council (“USGBC”) and its founders in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case No. 1:10 CV-7747). The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that USGBC’s promotion of its LEED standards is misleading and [...]
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Sparked by a desire to promote clean energy, in 2010, the City of Sarasota debated creating a municipal utility vs. renewing a multi-year municipal franchise agreement. After several months of tense negotiations and lengthy public hearings, the City of Sarasota and Florida Power and Light Company entered into a Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy [...]
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The Allen Morris Company has received Silver LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its 110,235 square foot Center Building located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the first privately-owned office building in Jacksonville to receive the designation. The building was built in 1977 and completely renovated in [...]
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After a year of development and data collection, the Miami Science Museum recently reported the findings of its Green Roof Demonstration Project and launched its second phase. The project included five roof assemblies: two extensive green roofs (one with irrigation, one without) and two intensive roofs (one with irrigation, one without) and a control, white [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: energy savings, green roof, white roof | 1 Comment »
Gidumal v. Site 16/17 Development LLC, et al., N.Y. County Index No. 105958/10 (New York County Supreme Court, May 5, 2010), is the first reported case against a developer of a green building alleging the developer failed to deliver a project as represented during pre-construction. On May 5, 2010, unit owners of the 31-story, 264-unit [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: green condominium, green lawsuit, green litigation, LEED | Comments Off
A Michigan State University (MSU) study has taken a preliminary step toward providing scientific evidence on the health and productivity benefits of green construction and operations. Part of the allure of green buildings is the promise of higher returns due to better employee productivity and health and less absenteeism. Green commercial developments potentially create a [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: green building, increased employee productivity, indoor air quality, LEED, measurement of indoor air quality | Leave a Comment »
The Clean Energy Investment Program, launched by the Florida Opportunity Fund with an initial $36 million in funding, is now accepting applications for investment opportunities that advance the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technology across the State. The Clean Energy Investment Program will provide qualifying Florida businesses with investments in three primary [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: alternative energy, alternative energy funding, clean energy, clean energy funding, florida green energy, florida opportunity fund, florida renewable energy, green energy funding, renewable energy | Leave a Comment »
The Florida legislature recently took a step towards creating a more sustainable future for our state. On May 27, 2010, Governor Crist signed into law House Bill 7179, which created Florida’s version of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Florida’s PACE bill enables local governments to levy non-ad valorem assessments to fund improvements related [...]
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Florida local governments continue to take action to adopt sustainable development provision (including green building, low impact development, and renewable energy/energy efficiency) into their comprehensive plans and codes. Originally compiled in 2009, the index was updated in Summer 2010 to include new provisions including Leon County’s PACE ordinance. Click here to view the updated Index [...]
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