In a recent survey of local government green building laws across 100 jurisdictions, overwhelmingly the most often granted incentive for a LEED certified building was an abatement of real property taxes.… Continue Reading
A package of local government bills introduced on January 29th aim to ensure that Montgomery County, Maryland remains at the sustainability forefront. The legislation is a model for local government environmental and energy initiatives and we provide a link to each bill with the thought that these may inspire other cities and counties,… Continue Reading
King County, Washington is applauded by some for joining Greensburg, Kansas (the tornado destroyed town) as only one of two local governments mandating government building to a LEED Platinum standard. But many critically ask, is it a misuse of the LEED "voluntary third party green building rating system" for a government to mandate by law that government owned buildings be constructed to that "voluntary" standard?… Continue Reading
On November 6, the City Commission of Key West, Florida unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing LEED Certified level certification or Florida Green Building Coalition Bronze level certification as a prerequisite to all residential construction.… Continue Reading
Last night Will County, Illinois officials held a public meeting seeking input on incentivizing "sustainable and green features" through the voluntary use of the International Green Construction Code. But, many believe environmental protection is far too important than to leave to the government.… Continue Reading
Baltimore City is poised to adopt a new zoning code that is among the most 'green building friendly' land use ordinances in the country. A green building friendly zoning ordinance is significant when so many local codes including land use ordinances across the country stand in the way of sustainability efforts.… 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
Dallas has now accepted the first building permit applications under its green building ordinance. All new projects must either: meet the minimum requirements of the Dallas Green Construction Code or be LEED certifiable or be Green Built Texas certifiable or be certifiable under an equivalent green building standard.… Continue Reading
Fourteen trees were cut down when Brian Novie only had permission to fell Eleven. He was charged with violating the Tree Preservation and Landscape Maintenance Law and moved to dismiss on the ground that the Tree Law is unconstitutional.… Continue Reading
Hastings on Hudson, a village with a population of just over 9,400, located east of the Hudson River, less than 20 miles north of Times Square, conducted a final public hearing last evening on its custom written Green Building Code.… Continue Reading
The final vote of the District of Columbia's Construction Codes Coordinating Board on the Green Construction Code occurred last week, ... The new Green Code is significant, not only for those constructing or renovating buildings within DC, but because it portends a new green regulatory scheme that may well be a national model.… Continue Reading
