There are 3,980,817 miles of roads in the United States. Roads are the largest built structures we come into contact with and yet they are so ubiquitous and familiar that they have become an impervious given, the dark matter of the motor vehicle cosmos. If green building is going to save the planet it will have to include green roads.… Continue Reading
The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure announced that earlier this week it reached the milestone of 1,500 Envision Sustainability Professionals who have been credentialed in the use of the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system. Envision is a voluntary third party sustainable development rating system for all types and sizes of infrastructure projects, as opposed to buildings (.. yes, something like LEED for roads and bridges).… Continue Reading
Against a backdrop in early 2014 where by many measures environmental progress in business appears to have plateaued, Environmental Product Declarations are among the hottest topics in sustainability.… Continue Reading
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes v2008 rating system is proposed to be updated and balloting on the update will begin on February 3, 2014 (.. yes, version 2008).… Continue Reading
Today there are 29,724 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard certified homes and lots. As the residential green code is on the cusp of eclipsing 30,000 certifications, more than a dozen governments across the country are evaluating adopting mandates or incentives tied to ICC 700.… Continue Reading
After a failed moratorium and years of litigation to void a settlement agreement, 34 wind turbines may finally be erected in the Town of Prattsburgh, New York. Wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable means of generating energy but some in the environmental movement see wind turbines as "Cuisinarts in the sky."… Continue Reading
ASHRAE standard 189.1 will be republished in 2014 for adoption in the IgCC 2015. In an environment of green building standards, rating systems, and codes, it is the republishing of ASHRAE Standard 189.1 that may be the single most significant act in 2014 toward improving the built environment.… Continue Reading
Virginia has become the latest government to mandate an alternative compliance path for green building that includes the International Green Construction Code.… Continue Reading
In a Final Rule issued this past Monday, EPA is recognizing the newly issued ASTM E1527-13 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard as compliant with the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule and is planning to withdraw the Phase I Standard in use since 2006..… Continue Reading