My first legal case involved "fly ash." I had no idea what fly ash was so I looked it up in the dictionary. Fly ash is a "coal-combustion by-product" (CCB) that is often used in concrete as a replacement for portland cement. When used in massive concrete structures, like dam construction, fly ash can result … Continue Reading
On Thursday, I had the honor of presenting on green building legal issues to the Texas Young Lawyers Association. I graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, so it was surreal to be invited back for the opportunity to speak on the law. Whenever I speak, I leave time for questions and this … Continue Reading
For many in the green building industry, federal projects have provided an opportunity for much needed work as private development has stalled. However, contractors should be aware of a significant change to federal construction contracts coming down the pike. On April 13, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order that will result in new requirements for … Continue Reading
On Saturday, I was having a leisurely breakfast with my wife when I foolishly flipped on my blackberry, opened my email and stared at the following headline: Comox Rec Centre not LEED anymore. Breakfast was essentially over. Never before had I seen the potential for LEEDigation stated so clearly in a headline. The Comox … Continue Reading
One of my very first Green Building Law Update posts focused on the insurance and surety industries’ concerns related to green building. Nearly two years later, some in the insurance industry are still expressing concerns regarding green building projects. A recent P&C National Underwriter article highlighted numerous insurance-related concerns related to green buildings: Vegetative roofing—using … Continue Reading
I spend a good deal of time discussing federal green building projects, so it only seems natural that I pass on information regarding what could be a very beneficial program in that arena. Chris DeVolder at 360 Architecture (the designers of the JE Dunn Headquarters) recently informed me about a tax incentive program stemming from … Continue Reading
The Green Building Certification Institute’s (GBCI) use of third-party certification bodies did not last long. You may recall that in 2009, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) outsourced green building certification to the Green Building Certification Institute: "LEED certification became so popular that the USGBC had to begin allowing certification through independent certification bodies. . . … Continue Reading
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Birk of Surety Bonds Insider to discuss surety issues and the green building industry, particularly related to the D.C. Green Building Act. As a quick reset, the D.C. Green Building Act of 2006 requires owners put up "performance bonds" that guarantee LEED certification for certain projects. … Continue Reading
