PAC Green Info: Up-to-the-minute Green Metal Roofing Resource

GSA is seeking public comments on a recommendation.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:15:30 +0000

The US General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking public comments on a recommendation regarding green building rating systems. GSA may abandon their prior endorsement of a single rating system and encourage each federal agency to decide to use LEED, Green Globes or the Living Building Challenge. The American High Performance Building Coalition is recommending to GSA that they select only those green building rating programs that are fairly developed using an ANSI consensus process. This would exclude LEED.

Car giant, American Honda Motors, is on the path to construct a sustainable “smart home”.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:14:17 +0000

Car giant, American Honda Motors, is on the path to construct a sustainable “smart home” that will use advanced technologies and design principles to utilize net zero energy, meaning the home will produce equal or greater amounts of energy using renewable energy sources than it consumes. The project is meant to serve as a demonstration in support of helping the state of California meets its goal of having all new residential construction use zero net energy by 2020. The home will include a charging station for the Honda Fit EV.

Japan’s nuclear energy.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:13:30 +0000

The disaster at Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan is shaping the country’s energy future and renewable stand at the forefront. Of the country’s 52 nuclear plants that were operating before the disaster, only two are continuing to run. Japanese utilities are looking to renewable energy sources to meet their electrical generation needs and are simultaneously updating their grid to improve reliability.

North Carolina law makers vote.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:12:19 +0000

North Carolina law makers voted to retain the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) last week, a move that affirms the state’s investor-owned utilities goals to generate 12.5% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021. House Bill 298 sought … Continue reading →

A new report in the journal Nature Climate Change.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:11:35 +0000

A new report in the journal Nature Climate Change suggests that the urban heat-island effect may not be limited to “islands” and may instead be altering weather far from the cities that cause it. Computer modeling is showing that the heat from buildings, cars and pavements in large cities rises about a half-mile into the atmosphere, altering high altitude currents and redistributing heat. Authors suggest this effect could increase temperatures by 0.5° F in rural areas. In some locations the redistribution of heat causes cooler temperatures.

Black carbon has been greatly underestimated.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:10:38 +0000

A new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, suggests that reduced emissions of black carbon, or soot, could have an immediate cooling effect on the climate. The authors conclude that global warming contribution of black carbon has been greatly underestimated and could be twice that of previous estimates. Black carbon has approximately two-thirds the warming effect of carbon dioxide, making it the second-largest human contribution to climate change.

Minneapolis is the latest municipality to require commercial building energy rating and disclosure.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:09:35 +0000

The city of Minneapolis is the latest municipality to require commercial building energy rating and disclosure. Building owners must benchmark energy peformance against that of similar buildings and report the results to the public. The ordinance applies to publicly owned … Continue reading →

Clean energy investments move to newer markets.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:07:41 +0000

Clean energy investments have shifted from being predominantly in U.S. and European markets to newer, emerging markets. Research from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that investment in clean energy worldwide dropped by 11% in 2012, which was largely attributable to curtailed federal incentives programs in places like Spain, Italy, and Germany. Meanwhile, some counties like China and South Africa made record investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar and China displaced the U.S. in clean energy investments.

U.S. homes using high-efficiency light bulbs

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:06:12 +0000

The number of U.S. homes using high-efficiency light bulbs like compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and light emitting-diodes (LEDs) is steadily increasing, according to research conducted by E Source in partnership with the Nielson Company. In 2012, 87% of households used at least one high-efficiency bulb, up by 1% from the previous year. And 77% of households used three or more high-efficiency bulbs in 2012, a 2% increase from 2011.

Xcel Energy leads U.S. utilities

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:05:19 +0000

For the ninth year in a row, Xcel Energy leads U.S. utilities in producing electricity from wind resources, according to report by the American Wind Energy Association. In 2012, Xcel had enough wind generating capacity to power 1.5 million homes … Continue reading →

A survey of home builders.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:04:41 +0000

A recent survey of home builders conducted by the Professional Remodeler finds that consumers remain reluctant to build green primarily because of the higher costs. A secondary concern is that consumers lack trust in their return on investment. Forty-one percent … Continue reading →

Township sets the size of a renewable energy system for homeowners.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:02:27 +0000

A groundbreaking ordinance recently passed in Monroe Township, New Jersey that sets parameters around the size of a renewable energy system a homeowner can install on their property. Specifically, the ordinance establishes guidelines to appropriately size a renewable energy system in a way that allows homeowners to generate enough energy to power their home through a solar or wind system without producing too much energy that they can profit off of by selling it back to the grid.

Germany has leaning on renewable energy resources.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:13 +0000

In the face of shutting down its nuclear energy generation facilities, Germany has leaned on renewable energy resources to meets its electricity needs. In 2012, renewable energy was responsible for nearly one-quarter of the country’s electricity generation and the country boasted its highest energy exports in five years. The largest challenge it faces now is energy storage since renewable energy sources like wind and solar can be intermittent.

Solar Census conducted by the Solar Foundation

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:59:12 +0000

According a recent Solar Census conducted by the Solar Foundation, the solar industry employs approximately 120,000 people nationwide, which rose by 14,000 from 2011 to 2012. The state of Colorado is highlighted in the census as one of the fastest growing solar industries, which hosted just 40 solar companies 4 years ago and now is home to 246 that employ 6,200 workers. The report attributes this unprecedented growth primarily to federal, state and local incentives.

Apple is continuing to make large strides in its pursuit of 100% renewable energy.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:58:24 +0000

Apple is continuing to make large strides in its pursuit of 100% renewable energy. In its recently released annual environmental report, it states that its corporate facilities are now receiving 75% of their energy from renewables, and that some of its data centers are now 100% powered by renewable energy. Among the recent improvements in sourcing was the creation of what was called “America’s largest end-user-owned onsite solar array,” at its data center in Maiden, North Carolina. The solar array there has a total capacity of 20 MW and will be joined in late 2013 by another 20 MW installation. Other improvements include: the use of biogas fuel cells at its headquarters, reducing the quantity of material used in many of its products, and beginning to use bio-based polymers in some of its products.

New DOE project to develop a “roadmap”.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:53:29 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy is in the midst of an ambitious project to develop a “roadmap” that could help owners of the country’s small buildings (under 50,000 sf) slice their energy usage by 45% and trim $30 billion a year off their energy bills. More than 90% of commercial buildings in the U.S. are smaller than 50,000 sf; 73% are smaller than 10,000 sf. In fact, the average small building measures less than 8,000 sf, according to the 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey. Buildings of less than 50,000 sf account for just over half (51%) of total floor space in commercial use and consume 44% of the energy used in all buildings in the U.S. . Millions of small buildings collectively exerting a huge impact on the nation’s energy consumption but the most popular programs, notably LEED and Energy Star, have been directed primarily at buildings greater than 50,000 sf.

NSBA Study

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:52:25 +0000

A 2011 study conducted by the National Small Business Association found that 40% of the 200 respondents cited “limited capital” as the chief obstacle to making their businesses, and their buildings, more energy efficient. Even more interesting is that 20% … Continue reading →

Seven small building types identified as non-efficient.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:50:15 +0000

The DOE has identified seven small building types that account for nearly half (49%) of all commercial buildings not in malls, and which consume about one-third of the energy used by “non-mall” buildings. At the top of the list: freestanding, single-use foodservice buildings (restaurants and grocery stores), followed by office buildings, schools, strip malls, single-use retail outlets, lodging, and “Main Street” structures.

Deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.

mkellar — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:48:30 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy released a study showing deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions of up to 80% by 2050 are possible from transportation. Admittedly, there is no one silver bullet, but a multi-pronged approach that touches on deploying new vehicle technologies like electric cars, improving vehicle fuel efficiency, and reducing transportation demand through improved urban planning could be successful.

USGBC announced that the last step in the development

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:12:35 +0000

The USGBC announced that the last step in the development process of LEED v4 is one final public comment period, open March 1 – March 31, 2013. The comment period will focus on refinement (both in the credit language and in calculations) and provides the public with one last chance to give feedback on the system before the members vote in June.

Visit usgbc.org/leedv4 during March to view the changes and participate in the comment period.

A long-awaited report from the National Research Council

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:11:45 +0000

A long-awaited report from the National Research Council gives the nod to LEED Silver ratings “or equivalent” for military buildings. The report looked at a variety of methods of comparing costs and benefits and ultimately confirmed that LEED Silver certification is the preferred model for limiting costs and maximizing benefits. The timber and plastics industries have been pressuring legislators and agency policymakers to shun LEED for years.What’s new is that they’ve started succeeding at both the state and federal levels—most recently with a renewed congressional moratorium on military LEED spending above the Silver level. This new report means that the LEED Gold ban may come to an end now that the Department of Defense (DoD) has provided Congress with the required cost-benefit analysis on green building rating systems and codes.

A new search engine called the Green Building Information Gateway

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:10:58 +0000

A new search engine called the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) has been created to provide design, performance and related sustainability data for thousands of green buildings. The tool is being offered by the USGBC. Initially the tool was based on data collected for USGBC LEED rated buildings. Access to gbig.org is free. The platform provides a framework for sharing, analyzing, comparing and using environmental data. It is also a response to criticism that there is no way to compare a LEED building’s rating to its actual energy consumption over time.

Retail giant, Walmart, recently announced a reduction

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:09:02 +0000

Retail giant, Walmart, recently announced that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2005, thereby reaching its target 1 year ahead of schedule. A major part of the company’s success is its use of renewable energy, including extensive … Continue reading →

Electricity production from wind hit an historic high

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:07:30 +0000

In 2012, electricity production from wind hit an historic high, up 17 percent from the previous year and accounting for 42% of new electric generation capacity. This growth is thought to be in response to the Production Tax Credit, which … Continue reading →

An article from Carlisle SynTec

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:05:12 +0000

An article discounting the benefits of cool roofs in cooler climates was issued by Carlisle SynTec. It suggests that bad science has mislead building owners about the benefits of cool roofing in certain locations. The article focuses on white membrane roofing and calls out the condensation problems that these types of roofs can have. Official responses to the letter are being developed by the Cool Roof Rating Council and the Global Cool Cities Alliance. Responses from the Cool Metal Roofing Council are being considered. The paper can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/samir-ibrahim/white-roofs-green-myth_b_2901288.html

A report by the Michigan Public Service Commission

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:03:54 +0000

A report released by the Michigan Public Service Commission finds that renewable energy incentives are driving investments in green energy and consequently boosting the state’s economic well being. Renewable energy in Michigan is largely driven by a state renewable energy standard that puts the state on track to produce much of its electricity from renewable resources over the next decade. Since its passage in 2008, the over $1.79 billion in renewable energy investments have been made.

January 2013, electricity generation

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:57:02 +0000

According to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in January 2013, electricity generation from renewable energy sources increased by nearly three-fold from the previous year in January. Generation came from wind, solar and biomass resources which provided over 1,200 MW of electricity. Wind accounted for the largest share of this capacity at 958 MW, followed by solar (267 MW) and biomass (6MW). For more information, view full report.

Report from World Wildlife Federal European Policy Office

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:55:09 +0000

According to a recent report released by the World Wildlife Federal European Policy Office, the European Union (EU) could reduce energy use by 30% and generate nearly half of its energy from renewable sources by as early as 2030 with … Continue reading →

A report on aggressive investments in energy efficiency

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:38:22 +0000

A report co-authored by the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy and Federal Senator Mark Warner (Democrat – Virginia) finds that aggressive investments in energy efficiency promises to save business $169 billion a year on their energy bills by … Continue reading →

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) announced

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:36:07 +0000

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) announced this week that it wants to reduce the cap on carbon emissions by 45 percent in 2014. RGGI is an organization representing the interests of 9 Northeastern U.S. states that collectively limit and tax carbon emissions. The proceeds are used to offset carbon emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the region. If the new proposal is approved, allowable carbon emissions in the region would drop from 165 million tons of CO2 to 91 million.

Research by McGraw Hill Construction

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:35:14 +0000

Research by McGraw Hill Construction demonstrates strong growth in green education projects in K-12 and higher education institutions. Over 80% of contractors interviewed have done new or major renovation green school projects in the last three years, and 79% have done green retrofits and operational improvements. Contractors are forecasting that for the next three years the gap will narrow between new or major renovation projects and retrofit or operational projects.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research study released

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:31:00 +0000

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research released a study showing that solar was the most rapidly growing energy source in the U.S. in 2012 and that New Jersey was a major contributor of this growth. The state increased its solar production by 33% in 2012, which accounted for approximately 1/3 of the nation’s solar generation. This ranks the state third in the U.S. for solar production, outranked only by California (1st) and Arizona (2nd).

China and India are paving the way in solar investments.

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:27:18 +0000

Lux Research recently released a study showing that China and India are paving the way in solar investments while other nations including the U.S. lag behind. China and India are purported to have the most potential for high-growth in solar investments, followed by countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and South Korea. The study examined potential for distributed solar generation as well as centralized industrial-scale solar plants

U.S. Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge Update

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:20:04 +0000

Sixteen major U.S. corporations recently joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge to provide their workers with greater access to electric vehicle charging stations. Corporations include widely recognized companies like Bentley Systems, Bloomberg LP, Coca-Cola Co, Dell, Facebook, The Hartford, Hertz Corporation, OSRAM Sylvania and others. To meet the challenge, these companies will build electric vehicle charging infrastructure at minimum, at one major worksite in the U.S.

American Legislative Exchange Council touts renewable mandates.

mkellar — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:18:38 +0000

A growing trend has emerged in recent years to undercut renewable energy mandates set by states. Over forty pieces of legislation and two major court cases are underway to weaken or slash renewable energy standards that required a certain portion of a state’s electricity be produced by green energy sources. The most vocal and influential group behind these efforts is the American Legislative Exchange Council, an industry-preservation group that touts renewable mandates as a major government overstep.

The USGBC partnered with investment analysis FTSE and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:06:20 +0000

The USGBC partnered with investment analysis FTSE and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts to create new indices for sources of capital for millions of square feet of building stock. The new indices will allow real estate investment … Continue reading →

The USGBC has launched an online database of buildings

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:05:35 +0000

The USGBC has launched an online database of buildings called the Green Building Information Gateway or GBIG. The tool allows users to find green buildings around the world by entering an address, view green building data by city, find all green buildings within an area, view project data by green building strategy, compare green attributes among buildings, and perform a variety of other searches.

Ratepayer-funded energy efficiency efforts to double

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:04:04 +0000

A recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory forecasts ratepayer-funded energy efficiency efforts to double over the next 10 years to about $9.5 billion per year in 2025. Efficiency programs will extend beyond traditional green hubs, like the northeast and west coast into areas that haven’t traditionally focused on green energy. By 2025, states in the Midwest and south are projected to account for nearly half of customer-funded efficiency programs, which is up from just 27% in 2010.

Solarize Connecticut expanding

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:02:54 +0000

Just a few months after launching an incentive program to motivate residents to purchase solar energy systems called Solarize Connecticut, state leaders are already considering expanding the program. In just under 5 months, Solarize Connecticut spurred twice as many investments in residential solar photovoltaic and solar water heating systems than the state has seen over the last 7 years. Program administrators cited innovative marketing tactics which tap into existing community networks and power of group purchasing as key to the program’s success.

Southern California Edison (SCE), is leading the pack in efficiency programs

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:01:12 +0000

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) recently announced that California utility company, Southern California Edison (SCE), is leading the pack in efficiency programs that conserve both energy and water. This is the first-ever ranking of water/energy efficiency programs. SCE’s program focused on incentivizing consumers to invest in water/energy site audits, leak detection and water systems testing and high-efficiency toiled and landscape irrigation systems.

he United Kingdom just passed game-changing legislation known as the Green Deal

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:59:28 +0000

The United Kingdom just passed game-changing legislation that many anticipate will spur huge investments in energy efficiency over the next few years. The initiative, known as the Green Deal, essentially gives consumers hundreds of pounds in cash-back rebates for making … Continue reading →

New remote app from San Diego Gas & Electric

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:58:16 +0000

California electric provider, San Diego Gas & Electric, announced this week the launch of an application (app) that will allow its customers to remotely track and manage their energy usage. With just a touch of the finger, the Green Button … Continue reading →

“fiscal cliff” includes provisions to encourage energy efficiency.

mkellar — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:40:39 +0000

The bill Congress adopted to avoid going over the “fiscal cliff” includes provisions to encourage energy efficiency. Namely, the legislation extends energy efficiency tax credits for home and business owners who invest in energy-saving appliances and measures. Tax credits vary, but are capped at $200-500 depending on the type of high-efficiency equipment installed. The $500 tax credit for cool metal roofing (Energy Star labeled prepainted material) was extended retroactive to January 1, 2012 and extended through December 31, 2013. Details on the incentives are provided at www.energytaxincentives.org .

IRENA recently launched the world’s first international inventory of renewable energy resources known as Global Atlas.

mkellar — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:55:08 +0000

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recently launched the world’s first international inventory of renewable energy resources known as Global Atlas. The platform is open access and allows renewable energy stakeholders to identify and map solar and wind resource potential … Continue reading →

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently proposed creating a $1 billion “green bank”

mkellar — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:54:03 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently proposed creating a $1 billion “green bank” that would finance green energy investments in the state. The bank would help overcome financial barriers to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects using public … Continue reading →

Pike Research estimates 3.8 million people will be driving electric vehicles (EVs) by 2020

mkellar — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:53:00 +0000

A study by Pike Research estimates 3.8 million people will be driving electric vehicles (EVs) by 2020. This figure is well below many lawmakers expectations, but nonetheless this figure represents a 40% growth rate from now through the remainder of the decade. Mass quantities of electric vehicle charging stations will be needed to meet this demand and the implications could be huge for electric utility providers given that EVs run on electric power.

A new report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

mkellar — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:51:09 +0000

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a report this month that gives law makers, utility companies and consumers a pathway to achieve some of the deepest energy savings at the lowest cost. Specifically, the report examines 22 different energy efficiency program types to identify the most cost-effective and feasible approaches to capitalizing on efficiency opportunities in homes and businesses. Among its recommendations, ACEEE cites a number of innovative technologies, incentives and marketing tactics that promise to enable the U.S. to achieve the highest levels of energy savings in an economical way.

BizNGO have released “The Guide to Safer Chemicals”

mkellar — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:50:04 +0000

To help companies systematically assess and improve their products, Clean Production Action and BizNGO have released “The Guide to Safer Chemicals”. The guide offers a framework for achieving goals to disclose and optimize chemicals used in building materials, and provides … Continue reading →

The Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, CA has volunteered to become a net-zero energy installation.

mkellar — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:48:01 +0000

The Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, CA has volunteered to become a net-zero energy installation. The facility was selected by the DOE/DOE Net Zero Analysis Task Forde as the initial prototype installation based on its strong history of energy … Continue reading →

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory online resource

mkellar — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:46:44 +0000

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory now offers a new online resource aimed at improving ventilation in existing homes in California. The website provides information on California’s ventilation requirements, ASHRAE Standard 62.2 as well as printable documents that help with ventilation training and equipment. This program aims to reduce ventilation and infiltration related peak load and energy costs by 25-50%. More information can be found at http://resaveguide.lbl.gov

Revised version of its “Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims”

mkellar — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:44:15 +0000

After two years of public comment and review, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a revised version of its “Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims”, also known as the “Green Guides”. The publication outlines what the FTC may find to be deceptive marketing. Most of the revisions proposed in 2010 were accepted, including the warning that broad claims of being environmentally friendly “suggest that the product has specific and far-reaching environmental benefits [that are] nearly impossible to substantiate.” Among its revised sections, the guide says marketers should disclose any “material connections to groups providing certification or seals of approval. For more information visit www.ftc.gov.

New ASHRAE proposal for building codes

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:29:19 +0000

ASHRAE, the US authority on energy building codes, created a proposal for building codes to include new standards that would improve the water efficiency in homes and businesses. If approved, new construction of homes and businesses would need to include … Continue reading →

Department of Energy (DOE) announcement

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:26:52 +0000

The federal Department of Energy (DOE) today announced recipients of a $9 million investment in improving the efficient of various building envelope technologies, such as windows, roofs, and heating and cooling systems. According to the DOE, the average residential or commercial building loses approximately 42% of energy through leaks in doors, walls, roofs, floors, and attics. This funding will go to six manufacturing projects in California, Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri and Tennessee to develop advanced efficiency technology that will bring lower cost, high-efficiency solutions to market

President Obama signed new energy efficiency legislation into law

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:23:42 +0000

President Obama signed new energy efficiency legislation into law this week. The American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (HR 6562) outlines a number of provisions that drive energy efficiency in manufacturing sectors. Namely, the bill directs the Department of Energy to create a yearly best practices report on using energy management systems in federal facilities, establish partnerships to promote innovative, high-efficiency manufacturing processes and technologies, and conduct a gap analysis outlining barriers to efficiency in the industrial sector.

EPA’s Health Schools Program

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:22:52 +0000

The EPA has released a set of guidelines to help states establish and maintain environmental health programs for schools. Part of EPA’s Health Schools Program, “Voluntary Guidelines for States: Development and Implementation of a School Environmental Health Program” is aimed at states, school districts, K-12 schools, and individuals, and can be adapted for other school-related institutions such as childcare centers. The guidelines focus on maintenance, moisture and mold issues, pests and pesticides, ventilation, and contaminants that include PCBs, radon, and diesel exhaust. The guidelines offer case studies and technical advice.

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Report

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:18:19 +0000

A report released in October 2012 by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy explains that the two tax plans Congress is considering both fail to encourage energy efficiency in the industrial sector. Further, the report outlines how new tax reforms that focus on taxing industrial pollution could result in serious gains in industrial efficiency, which would have multi-fold benefits, including reducing the national deficit and improving environmental health.

Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Report

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:15:13 +0000

The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently released a report showing that the price to install a solar photovoltaic system in the U.S. dropped considerably in 2011 and continued in 2012. This drop is largely attributable to lower … Continue reading →

Regional electric grid planner, ISO-New England

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:12:42 +0000

Regional electric grid planner, ISO-New England, recently announced findings from a study that show efficiency programs in six New England states have offset the need to make over a quarter billion dollar investment in updating transmission towers and lines. Specifically, by decreasing energy consumption, ISO-New England can defer the need to upgrade 10 transmission projects that earlier forecasts projected would be needed. The study also estimated that if kept on track, efficiency efforts would halt electric consumption growth over the next decade.

French study green roofs can boost the performance

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:11:13 +0000

According to a recent French study green roofs can boost the performance of solar panels. The evaporative cooling that takes place on a green (vegetative) roof can also make photovoltaic panels perform more efficiently. Plants also reduce airborne pollutants and … Continue reading →

A new web-based tool

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:10:24 +0000

A new web-based tool, Climafy.com, evaluates the benefits of various types of energy retrofits. The model is weighted toward solar and wind products. However, in the Green Building pyramid, solar PV installation is recommended only after other low-hanging issues are … Continue reading →

Ohio State University researchers touting renewable energy

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:07:32 +0000

Ohio State University researchers are touting renewable energy as a means for major cities in the state to boost their economies. According to their work, by investing in renewable energy generation like wind and solar, cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and … Continue reading →

New research from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:05:24 +0000

New research from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) reveals that a return to 2009 federal funding levels for green energy would result in job losses equal to those slated to occur from a planned $54 billion cut to defense spending in 2013. Federal funding for green energy has already been scaled back and is expected to see continued cuts from $47.3 billion in late 2009 to $12.9 billion in 2013. The study maintains that $1 of investment in green energy translates into 1.5 times as many jobs compared to a $1 investment in defense spending.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announcement

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:04:32 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its plans to invest approximately $11 million in 20 clean vehicle projects that span across the country. While the projects range considerably, an underlying theme is that each project will assist states and municipalities in building the infrastructure necessary to roll out clean energy vehicles powered by natural gas and electricity. The grants are a part of the DOE’s Clean Cities program.

International Renewable Energy Agency most cost effective way

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:03:15 +0000

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy is now the most cost-effective way to generate electricity in places throughout the globe that aren’t already hooked up to a major grid system. In addition, renewable energy sources are … Continue reading →

All eyes are on California

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:01:24 +0000

All eyes are on California this month as it launches the nation’s first-ever cap and trade program, which will monetize carbon emissions that come from the state’s largest energy using companies. Essentially, the initiative limits carbon emissions and puts on price on these emissions so that companies can buy and sell carbon credits. This market-based approach to carbon promises to offer companies financial incentives to invest in energy efficiency and alternative, greener forms of power generation.

Center for Climate Strategies Report

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:00:20 +0000

The Center for Climate Strategies released a report this month that shows public policies are a major factor contributing to reductions in U.S. green house gas (GHG) emissions. While the nation’s economic sluggishness is the number one factor, the study … Continue reading →

New California tax law will encourage job growth

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:58:21 +0000

California voters passed a new tax law this season that will encourage job growth and fund investments in energy efficiency, solar projects and other forms of renewable energy. Proposition 39 changes the state’s tax structure so that multi-state corporations must pay taxes based on their sales in California. Prior to this, companies could lower their income taxes by setting up shop out of state, thereby reducing tax revenue for the state. The passage of this referendum could generate up to $1.1 billion in tax revenue for the state over 5 years, 50% of which is slated for green energy investments. After five years, 100% of the funds will go to education and the state’s general fund.

Green Globes certification

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:54:19 +0000

Up until recently, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificate was the go-to standard for green buildings. Now a new certification – Green Globes – is sharing the stage, at least in some parts of the country like Orlando, Florida. Proponents tout that a main advantage of the Green Globes certification it is relatively inexpensive compared to LEED and it allows project teams more flexibility in their design.

reen Building Information Gateway launched

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:53:31 +0000

A new search engine, the Green Building Information Gateway (gbig.org) was launched at the GREENBUILD show in San Francisco. GBIG aggregates and assesses design and performance data for thousands of buildings worldwide, collected under the LEED rating system. The site is free to users. GBIG allows one to search and explore data about building energy, waste and water use or human comfort on LEED certified buildings. Under the “Buildings” icon, a user can click on a featured building and find out its LEED status and Energy Star rating. They can also see how the building’s Energy Star rating has changed over time. And the “Places” icon, users can explore green building activities by city, both domestic and global.

New study from Harvard Business School

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:51:57 +0000

According to a new study from Harvard Business School titled “Public Procurement and the Private Supply of Green Buildings”, cities requiring LEED certification for municipal buildings between 2001 and 2008 saw 2.3 private sector LEED registrations per year, on average, with an average total of 15.8 private LEED registrations compared to 8.3 in other cities. Neighboring cities without their own municipal LEED standards experienced a boost too, with a 61% increase from 1.5 to 2.4 private LEED registrations per year. The study was based on 735 California cities. The authors conclude that establishing a government standard can overcome the inertia of developers waiting for suppliers to offer LEED expertise, while suppliers wait for evidence of demand.

Health Product Declaration Open Standard

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:50:43 +0000

At the recent GREENBUILD conference, the Health Product Declaration Open Standard Version 1 was introduced. The HPD standardized format is for disclosure of product contents, emissions and health information to help designers, specifiers and building owners and occupants make informed purchasing decisions. The HPD is meant to increase transparency and reduce redundant disclosure demands by referencing existing hazard lists and providing a human health context for information disclosed in an environmental product declaration (EPD). It is also included as a compliance option for the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization: Materials Ingredients credit in the firth public comment draft of the forthcoming LEED v4 rating system. The HPD was developed through a year-long process by the HPD Open Standard Working Group with the participation of 29 product manufacturers and 50 reviewers from the building industry. It will be maintained by the HPD Collaborative. The standard is available at www.hpdcollaborative.org

Thirty North American cities and counties will participate

mkellar — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:49:48 +0000

Thirty North American cities and counties will participate in a year-long USGBC pilot program to evaluate and test the first national rating system for community sustainability. The program was announced on Nov 14 at the USGBC Greenbuild conference in San Francisco. The program known as STAR Community Rating System is the nation’s first voluntary, self-reporting framework for evaluating the sustainability of communities. The idea for the program dates back to 2007 when ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, USGBC, and the Center for American Progress launched the concept for a rating system for communities..

Revisions to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:56:21 +0000

The U.S. Green Building Council recently announced that it anticipates substantial revisions to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, a set of nationally recognized green building guidelines for new construction. If approved in 2013, the new LEED v.4 standards will force builders to take more aggressive steps towards designing and building more energy efficient homes and buildings to achieve LEED certification starting as early as June 2015. The fifth public comment period opened on October 2 and will close on December 10, 2012. Many of the educational seminars at the upcoming GREENBUILD conference in San Francisco will be focused on the many newly proposed credits in the LEED v. 4 draft for public comment.

Michigan voters denied passage of a referendum

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:54:43 +0000

On Election Day, Michigan voters denied passage of a referendum that would have boosted the state’s renewable energy targets. Proposal 3 would have required the state’s electric utility companies to produce 25% of annual retail sales from renewable energy sources … Continue reading →

Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) report

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:53:54 +0000

A report recently released by the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) shows that southwestern consumers could save $20 billion by 2020 from aggressive investments in energy efficiency. The study shows that if states continue to invest in efficiency at current rates, they’ll fail to hit legislative targets that average 20% reductions in electric consumption through energy efficiency by 2020. Hitting this target is feasible, however, and would result in significant savings of $20 billion. See swenergy.org for the full report

New research by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:53:03 +0000

New research by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory shows that Americans used less energy in 2011 than in 2010. The decrease is largely attributed to Americans using more energy efficiency goods for transportation and residential use. Meanwhile, there was a … Continue reading →

Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager to be updated

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:52:19 +0000

The Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager will be thoroughly updated for the spring of 2013. The Portfolio Manager is a tool for online management and tracking of energy and water usage in commercial buildings. The upgrade will include an improved user interface and graphical reports that are easier to create and use. Although the number of building types will not change, the number of function types will increase to 86. The Portfolio Manager is the standard benchmarking tool required by New York City for its mandated reporting program. It is also used for all federal buildings and the Canadian government’s national energy management program for commercial and institutional buildings.

California to upgrade schools and government buildings

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:51:26 +0000

Proposition 39 could net the state of California about a half-billion dollars annually to make efficiency upgrades to schools and government buildings over 5 years. The revenue would come from corporate taxes on out-of-state-based companies doing business in California. Critics say there’s already too much money going towards green investments in the state, while environmentalists purport this initiative will save schools big money while greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Clean Energy States Alliance revealed this year’s winners

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:50:08 +0000

The Clean Energy States Alliance revealed this year’s winners of the 2012 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards – an accolade to states with exemplary initiatives and programs that advance green energy investments. Some of winning programs come from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and California. Representatives from the Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Conference of State Legislatures, DSIRE, American Wind Energy Association and Solar Energy Industries Association selected the winners.

Chicago gets a green makeover

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:49:26 +0000

In conjunction with local utility, Duke Energy, the City of Charlotte released a first of its kind map that shows household electricity across Charlotte’s neighborhoods. The purpose of the map is to make residents more aware of their energy consumption in comparison to their neighbors and help drive conservation habits in the home. Homes averaged 1,150 kilowatt-hours of usage each month, above the U.S. average of 908 kilowatt hours. The city’s heaviest users – 3,166 kilowatts hour average monthly – were in more affluent areas.

Duke Energy program makes consumers aware of their energy consumption

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:48:31 +0000

Walmart announcement

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:47:06 +0000

This month, global giant Walmart announced that its sustainability initiatives will yield the company $150 million in additional savings in 2013, up from $231 million under its current plan. The company’s new sustainability efforts involve greater investments in solar and … Continue reading →

Ecova released a report that shows efficient lighting applications

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:46:17 +0000

Energy efficiency industry leader, Ecova, recently released a report that shows efficient lighting applications are the third most common way that consumers are engaging in energy efficiency. This has implications for utility energy efficiency programs as compact fluorescent light bulbs … Continue reading →

California recently kicked-off the nation’s largest financing program

mkellar — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:44:56 +0000

California recently kicked-off the nation’s largest financing program for green energy investments known as PACE or Property Assessed Clean Energy to help commercial buildings invest in energy efficiency upgrades that will reduce their energy usage. PACE essentially finances commercial efficiency projects through municipal bonds, which are repaid by commercial property owners through their annual property taxes. Fourteen counties and 126 cities in the state will begin offering PACE financing to commercial building owners.

New Solar Foundation study

mkellar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:46:35 +0000

The Solar Foundation released details of a study on jobs in the solar industry, revealing that nearly 120,000 people are currently employed by the solar industry in the U.S. This reflects a 13.2% increase over the previous year’s job figures, making the solar industry one of the fastest growing job growth industries in the country. During the same period of the study, September 2011-September 2012, the U.S.’s overall employment only grew at a rate of 1.6%.

Department of Interior and DOE creating 17 “Solar Energy Zones

mkellar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:45:37 +0000

The Department of Interior and DOE approved a plan that will make way for utility-scale solar development on 285,000 acres of public land in the Western US. The plan encompasses areas of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah and will create 17 “Solar Energy Zones.” It provides strong economic incentives for development within these zones, with allowances for faster and easier permitting as well as improved mitigation strategies. Out of the six states, California has twice the acreage of solar zones than any other state. The plan creates 750,000 acres in variance zones for the state, much of which is located in the Mojave Desert.

Solar Junction

mkellar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:42:11 +0000

Solar Junction, a developer of high efficiency multi-junction solar energy cells for the concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) market, has set a world record for energy efficiency of a commercial-ready production solar cell. The power conversion efficiency of Solar Junction’s cells was measured at 44 %, beating the Silicon Valley company’s record of 43.5 % it set in April 2011. Both records were verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Solar Junction’s new record continues to demonstrate the value of its A-SLAM materials, which uniquely provides CPV system manufacturers the foundation to deliver the most efficient conversion of solar to electrical energy. CPV panels work by concentrating sunlight onto small multi-junction cells, which Solar Junction manufactures at its San Jose facility.

Solar Junction is commissioning a 6″ production fabrication facility, partially funded by a U.S. Department of Energy SUNPATH contrac with shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013.

Hart Research Asssociates poll

mkellar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:39:27 +0000

A poll conducted by Hart Research Associates shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans support solar energy, irrespective of their political allegiance. Approximately nine out of ten indicated they want to be involved in the development and use solar themselves. … Continue reading →

Proposed updates to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

mkellar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:36:48 +0000

New proposed updates from the International Code Council to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) would increase energy efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings by about 15%. Implementation of a new code probably wouldn’t begin before late 2013. Some proposed changes include requiring that home builders mark the R-value of insulation (by posting hang tags every few feet in the attic), that 75% of the lighting in a home be high efficiency and that high efficiency windows be used.

Georgia Power, recently launched the nation’s largest voluntary solar initiative.

mkellar — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:54:18 +0000

Utility company, Georgia Power, recently launched the nation’s largest voluntary solar initiative unprompted by a state mandate or renewable portfolio standard. If approved, the utility would be poised to generate 210 megawatts of solar across three years, nearly four times … Continue reading →

New York City’s analysis of commercial building energy consumption.

mkellar — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:45:28 +0000

New York City’s first analysis of commercial building energy consumption data showed many variations in performance. The collection of building energy consumption information is now mandate in a 2009 city ordinance. Nearly 1.8 billion square feet of building space is involved, covering buildings over 50,000 square feet and multi-dwelling properties with combined footage of more than 100,000 square feet. The initial data showed some larger buildings performing three to five times better or worse than similar structures in their category.

This was the first energy benchmark report for private buildings in NYC. Reports were submitted for 75% of eligible buildings. Owners who do not file the information are subject to a $500 fine.

Building Performance Institute (BPI) has published the Home Energy Auditing Standard, 1100-T 2012.

mkellar — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:44:26 +0000

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) has published the Home Energy Auditing Standard, 1100-T 2012. The new standard provides the protocols to conduct a building science-based evaluation of existing detached single family dwellings and townhouses that meet specific criteria detailed in the scope of the standard. The evaluation addresses energy usage, elements of building durability, and occupant health and safety. It also provides a comprehensive scope of work to improve the home and includes a cost benefit analysis.

Fifth public comment period announced

mkellar — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:32:20 +0000

USGBC announced that the fifth public comment period for LEED v.4 will open on October 2, 2012 and close on December 10. During the upcoming Greenbuild conference in San Francisco, many aspects of the proposed changes to the LEED program … Continue reading →

Empire State Building is poised to make history once again.

mkellar — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:43:04 +0000

The iconic Empire State Building is poised to make history once again. A recent, deep energy efficiency retrofit is reported to reduce the facilities energy usage by over 38% thereby saving about $2.4 million in energy costs and 4,000 metric tons of carbon in its first year. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Once the energy retrofit is complete and all tenant spaces are retrofitted, the upgrades will cut carbon emissions by 105,000 metric tons over the next 15 years.

New York Power Authority (NYPA) recently announcement.

mkellar — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:42:07 +0000

As a part of the state’s goal of cutting energy consumption in homes and businesses, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) recently announced plans for a $30 million initiative to accelerate market adoption of a number of emerging, energy efficient technologies. In concert with state and local authorities and electric utilities, the Energy Efficiency Market Acceleration Program will spearhead research and development in energy efficiency and host demonstration projects to spur investments in more energy efficiency technologies.

Federal wind tax credit update.

mkellar — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:40:06 +0000

With the federal wind tax credit set to expire at the end of 2012, a group of major, multi-national companies banded together to urge Congress to extend the renewable incentives. Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson, Sprint and 16 other major companies sent a letter highlighting the benefits that wind energy has brought to the country, including cutting wind energy costs by 90% since 1980 and providing power for more than 3% of U.S. electrical demandWith the federal wind tax credit set to expire at the end of 2012, a group of major, multi-national companies banded together to urge Congress to extend the renewable incentives. Starbucks, Johnson & Johnson, Sprint and 16 other major companies sent a letter highlighting the benefits that wind energy has brought to the country, including cutting wind energy costs by 90% since 1980 and providing power for more than 3% of U.S. electrical demand

The American High-Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC) was formed

mkellar — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:30:45 +0000

The American High-Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC) was formed in the midst of the fourth public comment period of the LEED 2012 draft. The Coalition is encouraging members of Congress to urge the GSA to suspend their use of LEED unless provisions that would ban the use of certain chemicals be removed from the LEED 2012 draft. In a statement responding to the Coalition, the USGBC welcomed the new organization and stated that USGBC had worked with leading code development organizations to co-release the leading mandatory green building codes. This was a reaction to the AHPBC accusing USGBC of not using an ANSI accreditation process for the finalization of LEED 2012.

Marking its second best quarter in U.S. history.

mkellar — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:52:55 +0000

Marking its second best quarter in U.S. history, the solar industry installed 742 megawatts of solar power from April-June 2012, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Eight states largely accounted for this growth including Arizona, California, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Market analysts expect growth to remain strong through the final quarters of 2012 and forecasts predict a 71% expansion over 2011 totals.

California’s subsidies to encourage electric customers to invest in solar photovoltaic systems.

mkellar — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:51:35 +0000

Just last week, California’s subsidies to encourage electric customers to invest in solar photovoltaic systems dropped to just $.20 per installed watt. This figure is down from the original rebate of $2.50 per installed watt. The state originally budgeted over … Continue reading →

The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) presented at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

mkellar — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:00:18 +0000

The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) presented at the National Conference of State Legislatures last month to educate state policymakers from across the country on the importance of energy codes in achieving maximum energy efficiency from residential and commercial buildings. … Continue reading →