Displaying 1 - 15 of 15
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When are state building codes vulnerable to federal pre-emption? Here's a look at the legal challenge to the Washington State Building Code Council that was filed by the Building Industry Association of Washington.
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A trend seems to be developing across the country in the green building world. Traditional builders and manufacturers are fighting against green building codes and programs. You can expect an increase in these types of challenges in 2011.<br />
3
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As an attorney, I tend to think the contract is the key element to a successful construction project. Upon further review, I am convinced that to successfully manage a LEED project, an owner needs to ensure a clear RFP is drafted.
4
Article
Municipal governments should stop mandating LEED certification for private construction. I could run through all of the reasons -- there is no proper enforcement mechanism, there will be increased LEEDigation -- but in my mind, the creator of the LEED rating system, the U.S. Green Building Council, makes the most powerful argument for not mandating private-construction LEED certification.
5
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The law moves at glacial speeds. The USGBC does not. The biggest problem with the previous LEED challenge policy was that literally anyone could challenge any LEED project at any time based on any LEED point. Last month, the Green Building Certification Institute published a revised LEED Certification Policy Manual, containing significant changes.
6
Article
LEEDigation -- litigation related to a LEED-certified structure -- is about people, not about a building. LEEDigation is about the people who built the building and the expectations of the people who occupy it.
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Worsening structural problems in a LEED-certified county government building in Salem, Oregon, have forced occupants to vacate the premises. The future of the building is under review.
8
Article
I often speak to law students or prospective law students interested in green building careers. This post includes my standard advice ... First and foremost, green building is not a fad.
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The green building industry has been besieged the last few years with stories about buildings not performing as anticipated. It appears the federal government has taken notice and is pushing for reforms to green building certification.
10
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States are facing significant budget gaps, and the gaps are going to affect the green building industry. States looking to shore up budgets will cut new construction and maintenance of existing buildings in the coming years. But there is a solution: public-private partnerships.
11
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President Barack Obama's Executive Order that set sweeping green requirements for federal agencies could have a longer lasting impact on green building than the Recovery Act. Consider the GSA's new goal of "eliminating the impact of the federal government on our natural environment."<br />
12
Article
The controversy over the LEED certification of Northland Pines High School case brings the gaps in the policy for handling such challenges into sharp focus. Here are some constructive suggestions on how to improve the process.
13
Article
A major overhaul to the Energy Star program, which currently certifies and labels products that are energy efficient, is imminent. But how this overhaul occurs remains to be seen.
14
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A first read of Energy Ace's LEED certification guarantee may raise eyebrows, but it limits potential damages if certification is not achieved.
15
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Energy Ace Inc., a sustainability consulting firm based in Atlanta, is guaranteeing LEED certification on projects — an industry first. But there are a few things to consider about any guarantee, even from a firm that knows what it’s doing.<br />