Tag Archives: Codes and Regulations

The Green Building Code is Too Confusing

I have spent just over a year thinking about the International Green Construction Code (IgCC).  I know it has been one year because I received my first copy of the code at Greenbuild 2010.  My conclusion today about the code is no different than it was one year ago:  The IgCC is unnecessarily confusing.  Take, for instance, … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Star Gazing in a World of Light Pollution

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green Building … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: The Energy Conservation Obstacle to IGCC Adoption

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes a transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Longevity and Adaptability in Green Building

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green Building … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Onsite Renewable Energy Encourages Solar Panels

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green Building … Continue Reading

Are Green Building Codes a Bad Idea?

I was recently given the opportunity to interview Thomas Taylor and I jumped at the opportunity for two reasons.  First, Taylor wrote the forward for the first green building book I ever purchased.  Second, Taylor was involved with the Northland Pines High School project, which I have written about extensively.  Taylor currently works for Alberici’s sustainable consulting service, Vertegy.  This … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Diverting Construction Waste While Cutting Costs

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions   of the IGCC are currently under review, Green … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Using Trees & Streetscaping to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effects

  The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for   cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, … Continue Reading

Florida Supports Green Building Code

  I was recently forwarded an interesting article written by Helen Mason regarding the International Green Construction Code.  She did such a good job reviewing the state of green codes that I wanted to make it available for download (PDF) to my readers and ask her a few follow up questions.  Enjoy!  Chris: I was fascinated … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Transportation Considerations for Green Buildings

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions   of the IGCC are currently under review, Green … Continue Reading

Green Building Code Webinar Available Now

Many of you have been asking about the availability of the webinar on the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) that I completed with Bob Kobet, and Basic Gov.  The webinar is now available online, although you will have to sync the powerpoints and audio.  If you listen closely, you can hear the panic in my voice … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Feasibility of IGCC Non-Potable Water Irrigation Requirement

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes. The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes. As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green Building … Continue Reading

Greener Cities: How Cities Across the U.S. are Incentivizing Sustainable Development

This guest post is by Joe Stampone of A Student of the Real Estate Game. Joe is in his final semester at the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate with a concentration in sustainable development.
 The behavioral shift towards sustainable development that we’re experiencing has changed the real estate landscape, however the marketing benefits, performance … Continue Reading

IGCC Series: Prohibiting Floodplain Development

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is a model code for cities seeking to promote sustainable building practices through their building codes.  The IGCC promotes transition from the current voluntary green construction certifications, like USGBC’s LEED, to mandatory green construction codes.  As the most recent revisions of the IGCC are currently under review, Green Building … Continue Reading

Series Introduction: Discussing the IGCC

If the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) is successful, green buildings will soon become the rule instead of the exception.  By codifying green building standards, the IGCC has the potential to make major strides to advance green building practices on a scale that has been unattainable through LEED and other similar voluntary green building standards. … Continue Reading

Caught in the Middle: Tax Implications of an Adverse Green Bonds Ruling

The following post is written by Kirk Dryer, a law student at the University of Missouri.  Kirk is also the first Green Building Law Update intern.  His assistance researching the Destiny USA matter was priceless.  Below, Kirk explains the tax implications of an adverse ruling in the Destiny USA dispute.  If you want to read more on … Continue Reading

Free Webinar: The Reality of Implementing Green Building Codes

I have been amazed at the immediate interest generated by the International Green Construction Code (IGCC).   Despite the fact that the IGCC is still in its infancy, there are a number of states and municipalities closely studying it for adoption.  We have already discussed Rhode Island’s adoption of IGCC for public buildings.  More significantly, … Continue Reading

Does California Green Building Code Signal Future Code Adoption?

Every year, as the calendar turns over, a host of new regulations take effect.  In California, January 1, 2011 marked the introduction of CALGreen, the California green building code.  The California government has produced a guide to CalGreen, which I found informative: “The 2010 California Green Building Standards Code is a code with mandatory requirements … Continue Reading

IGCC a “Step in the Right Direction”

I continue to ponder the importance of the release of the International Green Construction Code public version 2.0 (IGCC).  I recently asked Bob Kobet, LEED Faculty member, to provide his thoughts on IGCC.  It’s good to see that I am not the only one who thinks the new code is a big step for green building. … Continue Reading

Builders Association Goes After Washington Energy Code

Last week, we looked at Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (ACHRI) v. City of Albuquerque, a case in which a federal court struck down portions of the Albuquerque Energy Conservation Code based on the doctrine of federal preemption.  In a construction code context, federal preemption often means that products and appliances are regulated at … Continue Reading

Do Davis-Bacon Wage Issues Affect Your Stimulus Project?

Across the country, government officials are scrambling to award and spend American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding before upcoming deadlines.  If you are a contractor or subcontractor lucky enough to work on one of these projects, congratulations!  Now comes the tough part.  Working on a federal or state-funded project brings a myriad of regulatory … Continue Reading
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