In a continued period of falling energy prices, for oil and natural gas as well as renewables, and in an era when energy use in the U.S. has not increased in decades (despite the increase in population), Congress passed an energy bill. ... Tenant Star will present business opportunities and may some day be a market driver in the commercial real estate sector… Continue Reading
There is a single change to LEED in v4 that is the most significant, bar none. The change is buried deep within the LEED Operations and Maintenance Existing Buildings program and is not even in the printed reference guide. The quick explanation is the change is an alternative method of satisfying the prerequisite that an existing building achieve an Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool energy performance rating of at least 75.… Continue Reading
There are few, if any laws in most jurisdictions about solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), including the sale of SRECs by third party marketers. There is no national registry of RECs issued. This law firm has given opinions on RECs transactions that RECs are properly accounted for and no double counting has taken place, but it is the Wild West out there.… Continue Reading
Last week the U.S. Department of the Interior issued the long awaited final regulation permitting "the take [injure, kill or otherwise disturb] of bald eagles and golden eagles" for wind energy projects. ... What is clear from all of this is that developers of energy projects, renewable and otherwise, and even energy projects not currently subject to avian regulation, need to consider and evaluate applying for take permits.… Continue Reading
In a hugely important judicial decision advancing onsite renewable energy, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has found ground mounted solar photovoltaics to be an "accessory use" permitted as of right in all zoning districts.… Continue Reading
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting comments on the issuance of a take permit "for recurring eagle mortalities" .. It has been suggested that comments should be submitted on the double standard of issuing permits for killing bald eagles with wind turbines while charging .. power companies for electrocuting birds on power lines.… Continue Reading
So this post is a farewell of sorts. And, an introduction that I am very excited about. The Farewell I can’t write for this blog anymore. You may have noticed — or not noticed — that I stopped writing about one year ago. It’s not because green building doesn’t interest me any more. … Continue Reading
As green building becomes more popular, new green building regulations continue to pop up in U.S. cities. The Aspen Daily News recently highlighted proposed changes to the Aspen Commercial Building Codes that will incorporate very progressive green building strategies. Among the green building strategies, the proposed codes will “require either a photovoltaic solar panel system [solar … Continue Reading
