Comments on: WHY COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ARE BUYING INTO GREEN

By: Walmart

Walmart — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:18:37 +0000

Walmart’s next project is a massive seven-acre field of solar panels in Apple Valley that will provide power to the food distribution center there. This is just a part of their long term goal to power the Walmart stores with such renewable sources of energy. These panels in the Apple Valley are set to provide about 20-percent of energy demands made by the store which is around 1.3 million square foot distribution center.

By: National Trust for Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:14:38 +0000

Please protect our nation’s Civil War heritage for the benefit of future generations.

Like Virginia’s Governor Tim Kaine and many thousands of Americans, I am seriously concerned that the proposed Wal-Mart development in Orange County, Virginia, would permanently harm historic Wilderness Battlefield and the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.

I am writing to ask you to relocate Wal-Mart’s proposed Superstore to another site in Orange County but away from the battlefield and the National Park. Ultimately this is your decision.

Thank you for helping to preserve our nation’s unique and irreplaceable heritage.

By: NextGen Research

NextGen Research — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:32:51 +0000

The market for green building materials will grow to $571 billion by 2013, a $116 billion increase from the market’s value in 2008.

By: CalGreen

CalGreen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:46:26 +0000

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS 2009 – FEEDBACK NEEDED
—————————————————————–
In an effort to promote sustainable buildings, California last year became the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide Green Building Code. Known as CalGreen, it is already being updated. Your input is critical.

Your analysis and feedback is needed on the proposed changes for non-residential properties. To read the proposed changes for California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11, Title 24 — Commercial, Industrial, and Retail Real Estate,
http://www.cbpa.com/documents/CA%20Green%20Building%20Code%202009%20Update%20-%20Non-Residential.pdf.

By: Sean Suder

Sean Suder — Thu, 14 May 2009 06:07:41 +0000

If LEED-ND becomes the standard by which all urban in-fill developments are measured, then local governments will likely respond similarly to the way they responded to LEED certification of individual buildings. Certain cities such as Boston and Los Angeles have adopted building code regulations that mimic LEED standards for individual buildings. Likewise, local governments may incorporate the LEED-ND standards, or standards similar to them, into their existing zoning codes.

Infusing government into such decisions is one way to preserve individuals’ due process rights and allow property owners their day in court to defend the use and value of their property. However, mimicking such standards will not resolve the issue of holding the USGBC accountable for land use decisions made purposefully or inadvertently through the LEED-ND certification process. Even if a government decision based on LEED-ND standards is challenged successfully, the USGBC can still deny LEED-ND certification. These parallel processes not only may have the effect of creating additional hurdles to urban in-fill development, but they do not solve the due process problem associated with the certification of neighborhoods by a private organization.

By: Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Cascadia Region Green Building Council — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:14:03 +0000

A study by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council looks at the return on investment (ROI) for developing Living Buildings. The purpose of the study is to provide up-to-date information on the incremental cost between LEED Gold buildings and Living Buildings, and answer questions regarding the anticipated payback. As with many ROI calculations, the payback improves if
the owner has a holistic perspective and includes operating costs in addition to one-time project costs over a longer time horizon. Building
scale, the location’s climate and energy costs, and the building use have significant impacts on the ROI’s of green buildings.

By: USGBC

USGBC — Sun, 10 May 2009 07:18:19 +0000

LEED 2009 to include regional credits

According to the USGBC, the 2009 version of the LEED program will include regional credits to address environmental priorities for buildings in different locations. “Regionally specific credits give LEED a way to directly respond to diverse, regionally grounded issues,” said Brendan Owens, vice president of technical development at USGBC.

By: Big Culture

Big Culture — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:48:16 +0000

Didja know…There are more acres of Walmart stores in the country than there are acres in Manhattan.
There are approximately 15,000 acres in Manhattan, whilte there is approximately 18,100 acres of Walmart at the end of 1Q 2009.

By: PreservationNation

PreservationNation — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:41:11 +0000

Wal-Mart continues to pursue its flawed plan to build a “Superstore” within the boundaries of the 1864 Wilderness Battlefield and just across the roadway from the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Wal-Mart’s 140,000-square foot big-box would permanently harm the battlefield, frustrate private-public initiatives to preserve the
battlefield and restore 1864’s open viewscapes, and undermine the visitor’s experience of the National Park. Critically, Wal-Mart would facilitate more large-scale commercial development.

Preservationists are asking Wal-Mart to relocate its store to another location in Orange County, VA – away from the historic battlefield and
National Park.

By: U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:44:49 +0000

Obama Administration Announces $3.2 Billion for Energy Efficiency Improvements

The Department of Energy has announced plans to invest $3.2 billion in energy efficiency and conservation projects in cities, counties, states, territories, and tribes.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, funded by President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide.

The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.

Get all the details @ http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/daily.cfm/hp_news_id=160