Recent analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), shows that buildings meeting the 2010 version of  ASHRAE 90.1  “Energy Standard for Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings”  will use 18.5 percent less energy than those using the 2007 version of … Continue reading →

UL Environment announced the launch of its Sustainability Quotient (SQ) program.  It is a comprehensive system for assessing, rating and certifying the sustainability initiatives of corporations at an enterprise level.  The program is based on a series of standards, including … Continue reading →

This past summer, the International Standards Organization released ISO 500001: as a new energy management standard.  It helps organizations to continuously improve their energy performance.  The steps include: Develop a policy to use energy more efficiently Establish targets and objectives … Continue reading →

This past summer, the International Standards Organization released ISO 500001: as a new energy management standard.  It helps organizations to continuously improve their energy performance.  The steps include: Develop a policy to use energy more efficiently Establish targets and objectives … Continue reading →

The U.S. Department of Energy and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) announced a new agreement to develop achievable and cost effective standards, jointly promote educational programs, and support one another’s products and services. The memorandum … Continue reading →

UL Environment, the environmentally focused subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has launched an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program. The EPD program will provide a multi-attribute label documenting the life-cycle impact of a product, including such indicators as greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading →

The ISO has announced that June 15 will be the launch date for ISO 50001, the new international standard for energy management. The standard was initially scheduled to debut early this year, before the launch date was rescheduled for the … Continue reading →

On July 1 the city of Phoenix will introduce their own green construction code that allows residents and businesses to build green projects without having to go through other agencies’ certification process such as LEED. The construction code requires projects … Continue reading →

The National Institute of Building Sciences announced the formation of the National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards.  More than 36 years ago, the United States Congress mandated, as part of the National Institute of Building Sciences enabling … Continue reading →

ASHRAE claims that the 2010 version of standard 90.1 can save more than 30% in energy costs, compared to the 2004 standard.  Analysis performed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) found that the updated 2010 version of 90.1 Energy Standard … Continue reading →

ASHRAE has launched their ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.2P, Standard for the Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable High-Performance Health Care Facilities.  The public review period ends May 2, 2011. Comments can be made on line at https://osr.ashrae.org.  This is only an … Continue reading →

UL Environment has launched an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program. The EPD program will provide a multi-attribute label documenting the life cycle impact of a product.  Environmental indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions and use of primary energy will appear … Continue reading →

ASTM has released a standard for collecting, compiling and analyzing energy use in commercial buildings. The standard which is actually a set of guidelines called Standard E2797-11,  Standard Practice for Building Energy Performance Assessment for a Building Involved in a … Continue reading →

UL Environment, a subsidiary of the product safety certification organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has acquired Air Quality Sciences (AQS) and its certifying body, the Greenguard Environmental Institute. Under the acquisition, Greenguard will retain its name, and its certification program names … Continue reading →

The ICC voted to improve the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standard by 30% beyond the 2006 IECC, as called for by Architecture 2030.  The coalition supporting this move included the US DOE, US Conference of Mayors, the National … Continue reading →

The International Code Council released Public Version 2.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). The updated version incorporates 27 ASTM standards and is based on actions taken after the August 2010 public hearings on the previous Version 1.0.    The … Continue reading →

The Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, DC, announced today that it has selected 24 states to receive a total of $7 million to support the adoption of updated, energy-efficient building codes. The funding will expand the existing partnerships between states … Continue reading →

Rhode Island has become the first state to adopt the International Green Construction Code, Public Version. The Rhode Island Green Buildings Act identifies the IgCC as an equivalent standard in compliance with requirements that all public agency major facility projects … Continue reading →

The third edition of ASHRAE GreenGuide is now available. It is an easy-to-use reference with information on almost any subject that should be considered in green-building design. The GreenTips found throughout the edition highlight techniques, processes, measures, or special systems … Continue reading →

The ASHRAE Standard 90.2 Energy Efficient Design of Low Rise Residential Buildings provides minimum requirements for such building designs. A revised version will be a joint effort between ASHRAE and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES). The aim … Continue reading →

The Final Action Hearings for the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code took place in Charlotte, NC in early November. The vote from that hearing approved a series of new building energy codes that should help to improve energy efficiency in … Continue reading →

The US Conference of Mayors say they support a mandatory International Green Construction Code, which is being developed by ICC with input from AIA. The first Public Draft, version 1.0 has been released. Public comments on the first draft are … Continue reading →

The 2011 revision process for Title 24 in California has begun. On April 13, the Title 24 Residential Envelope Stakeholder Meeting was held.  The topics that were discussed included cool roof provisions and other residential energy components.   According to the … Continue reading →

On March 15 the ICC announced the release of IgCC Public Version 1.0. The announcement was made at a briefing held with the ICC’s Cooperating Sponsors AIA and ASTM as well as their new partners ASHRAE, USGBC and IES.   The … Continue reading →

The first draft of the International Green Construction Code for commercial buildings will be released to the public in March .  The public comment period on the draft will be from March to early summer.  Hearings to review the comments … Continue reading →

UL Environment (ULE) offers Environmental Claims Validation services. UL Environment tests and validates manufacturers’ self-declared environmental claims.  The UL Environment’s Sustainable Products Certification program certifies products to accepted industry standards for environmental sustainability. ULE has launched a new Energy Efficiency … Continue reading →

The New Buildings Institute (NBI), AIA and DOE proposed changes to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Those changes are now one step closer to adoption by ICC.  The proposals would result in 20-25% energy savings over the current code. … Continue reading →

California’s Building Standards Commission has adopted a mandatory Green Building Standard Code (CALGREEN).  This is the first mandatory code of its kind in the nation. It requires all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally … Continue reading →

In the past 90 days since the launch of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) initiative, the International Code Council, along with cooperating sponsors AIA and ASTM International and numerous other stakeholders, has made an aggressive push for public awareness … Continue reading →

The International Code Council (ICC) has announced that they have begun the process of developing a new set of green codes under the multi-year initiative called “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable by the Book.” This initiative is sponsored by the AIA … Continue reading →

ICC announced it will begin a Green Building Code Development Project targeting the commercial market. The new project will develop a code for traditional as well as high-performance buildings that uses a format consistent with other ICC codes and standards. … Continue reading →

Underwriters Laboratory will be starting their new Environmental Claims Validation (ECV) program, whereby manufacturers can verify claims related to green or sustainability issues. UL states that these claims are often subject to greenwashing – exaggeration, distortion or lying.  “If the … Continue reading →

The International Code Council announced their intent to develop a “Green Building Code” targeted at the commercial market.  The objectives of this new code will be targeted toward high performance buildings that are consistent with the ICC family of other … Continue reading →

The first and only green standard consistent and coordinated with the ICC was approved in January 2009. Known as ICC-700, the standard addresses the design of green residential buildings from single-family to high rises.  It includes a rating system that … Continue reading →

The Florida Public Service Commission agreed to require the state’s utilities to generate 20% of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020. Currently the state gets 3% of their energy from renewable resources.  The proposal calls for 7% renewable … Continue reading →

UL is creating a new environmental validation service, as well as a sustainable products certification service.  Both are part of a new wholly owned company, UL Environment Inc., based in Geneva Switzerland. The validation service has launched. UL is also … Continue reading →

In 2007 Ed Mazria, of Architecture 2030, established the 2030 Challenge with an initial target of reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with buildings by 50% initially, and eventually phasing out the GHG emissions entirely by 2030. To-date, the … Continue reading →