WHY COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ARE BUYING INTO GREEN

January 9, 2009 on 12:03 am | In Fascinating Information, Green, Investment Opportunities, New Developments, Statistics, Trends, Uncategorized, Winning Properties |

WHY COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ARE BUYING INTO GREEN

Now that we’re living in a green age, we know that buildings are responsible for 40% of emissions - and the upside of this statistics is that it presents an enormous opportunity for builders. Even though the construction sector continues to struggle, sustainable building is growing at a 30% annual rate, hands down the fastest-growing sector in the building industry, noted David Gottfried, CEO of Berkeley, CA-based Regenerative Ventures and a founder of the U.S. Green Building Council. “The growth in this world right now is green.”

 

The latest reports confirm this trend, as California total nonresidential construction activity continued to slide in October with permit values declining by -35.5% to $1.3 billion (year-over-year), according to the Construction Industry Research Board. During the ten-month period of 2008, nonresidential permit values totaled $16.9 billion – a decline of -10.2% from the comparable period in 2007.

While commercial sectors such as industrial and office are greening to cut costs and attract hipper clients, retailers have an added benefit. Retailers are strongly adopting green commercial, because it results in net profits, observed Joseph Feldman, managing director and senior research analyst Telsey Advisory Group, noting that the pioneering ‘green’ Wal-Mart in Lawrence, KS, posted higher-than-average sales for the chain. Target has started placing motion sensors in their stores that will dim lights in unoccupied aisles. The Gap and the Limited also are making efforts at energy efficiency, with the latter replacing roofs at three distribution centers to make them more energy efficient.

 

Even comparatively small efforts, such as Lowes’ decision to replace all of the lights in its stores with energy-efficient models, add up over time. “It’s relatively easy to become green,” Feldman said, noting that “green” retailers “mostly are the leaders in their spaces.” But the extra interest could be a double-edged sword.

 

That is supported by the growth of the USGBC, and the soaring interest in LEED certification or equivalents worldwide, Gottfried said. LEED is now developing a specific designation for retail; currently retail stores and shopping center developers can apply under the new construction or existing building standards. The standard will be up for member ballot this month, with a market launch expected in spring 2009.

The interest in standards also is expanding worldwide, with 13 countries–including India, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and Australia–now having green building councils. Another 50 nations are creating councils.

 

“It’s a United Nations of councils,” Gottfried said. Even the Chinese government is trying to impose more green regulations on its manufacturers, Feldman reported.

 

Info courtesy of

http://www.globest.com/news/1296_1296/insider/175575-1.html

http://laedc.org/eedge/index.html#4

16 Comments »

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  1. You just make me want to hug a Walmart.

    Comment by Tree Saver — January 10, 2009 #

  2. Goals
    The New York Times Building at 620 Eighth Avenue was developed and constructed with
    three goals in mind:
    • To enhance the way we work by creating a comfortable and efficient workspace for
    Times Company employees.
    • To serve the Times Company’s long-term operational needs as an owner/user.
    • To reflect the Company’s values and make a meaningful contribution to New York City.
    The building was designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano in association
    with FXFOWLE Architects. The New York Times Company interior office space was
    designed by Gensler.

    Comment by THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY — January 16, 2009 #

  3. The thrust of the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 is to create green-collar jobs and revitalize the economy through clean energy investments. Section 506 of the bill, offers property owners a 30 percent tax credit for qualified green roof expenses. The tax credit applies to both new and retrofit projects, but it requires that at least 50 percent of the roof area be covered with vegetation.

    Comment by Nigel F. Maynard — February 7, 2009 #

  4. Thin solar films are now covering the windows of office buildings around the country, reducing the temperature inside, cutting back on cooling costs and increasing user comfort.

    The newer, thinner, solar films being placed over the building’s glass that is completely clear, yet cuts ultraviolet and infrared light. “This is a clear film that takes your window and makes it into a smart window,” says Dan Venet, executive vice president of CHB Industries.. “It’s nice to have natural light coming in, and gives you an opportunity to reduce your lighting needs.”

    Comment by Debra Hazel — February 14, 2009 #

  5. Share your favorite green business!
    ________________________________________
    We’re always adding new listings to our Business Directory, so if you don’t find it here, we would love to hear about a favorite green business in YOUR neighborhood. We’re also excited about Greenopia’s expansion now offering our readers online listings in more than 50 U.S. cities! So if you have a favorite green place to shop or dine outside of Los Angeles, tell us about it, or forward this newsletter to a friend who can suggest a favorite local green business in their hometown.

    Suggest a business or organization at Greenopia.com!

    Comment by Greenopia LA — March 7, 2009 #

  6. FEDERAL STIMULUS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
    The California State Assembly Business and Professions Committee held an informational hearing to discuss how the incoming federal stimulus dollars may be used to “Green State Buildings.” Representatives from CBPA were present and provided testimony urging the state to move the money out the door as quickly as possible using the guideposts of the state’s already stringent energy code, the new green building standards, and suggesting the state rely on Energy Star as a metric. We also offered assistance to the state through the many energy efficiency programs that are focused on management of private buildings.

    Comment by CBPA Weekly Update — March 13, 2009 #

  7. 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

    Comment by U.S. Department of Energy — April 4, 2009 #

  8. 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.

    Comment by PreservationNation — May 7, 2009 #

  9. 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.

    Comment by Big Culture — May 7, 2009 #

  10. 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.

    Comment by USGBC — May 10, 2009 #

  11. 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.

    Comment by Cascadia Region Green Building Council — May 12, 2009 #

  12. 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.

    Comment by Sean Suder — May 13, 2009 #

  13. 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.

    Comment by CalGreen — June 7, 2009 #

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

    Comment by NextGen Research — June 27, 2009 #

  15. 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.

    Comment by National Trust for Historic Preservation — July 27, 2009 #

  16. 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.

    Comment by Walmart — January 20, 2010 #

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