Eco Build Products

As part of a new series of papers regarding federal, state and local decisions to expand energy efficiency choices for consumers,DEFGhas published a free reporton New York City’s “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan.”The GGBP is a key component of an effort to reduce pollution and energy costs in the city by 30% by 2030 and was initially touted as “first‐of‐its‐kind.” Not surprisingly, it was scaled back after pressure from local building owners. The author,Cynthia Boland, Esq., has provided a discussion of the opposition to the law, potential business and legal challenges, and comments on the future of green building legislation.

Why is the GGBP a harbinger of things to come? It is a landmark legislation that mandates compliance with four laws:

• a  municipal  energy  code  setting standards and  energy  use  in  large  buildings
• a  sub‐metering  requirement
• requirements  for  energy  audits
• requirements for retro‐ commissioning

Yet, the process and the politics can shed light on the complexities of getting this kind of legislation enacted in the future.  The story of GGBP can serve as a “learning experience” for other  major  cities  considering  legislation  to  improve  energy  efficiency  in  existing  buildings.

Finally, the story of GGBP highlights something we’ve known for years.  That despite all the commotion about federal climate change legislation, most of the action with respect to energy efficiency and renewable energy is occurring at the state and local level. This means that we can all have a big impact on promoting change—not just within your our own businesses, but by working together to change attitudes, influence policymakers, and promote innovation. When you begin to think about getting involved, think nationally, think statewide—and think locally. Many issues related to sustainability and your business—from energy policy to recycling services—are addressed at a local or state level.

Jennifer Kaplan is a Senior Adviser toDEFG LLCand the author ofGreening Your Small Business(Prentice Hall 2009).

Photo:James D’Addio

By Jennifer Kaplan
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IBM expects the China revenues of its energy and utilities division to grow by $400 million from now until 2014 as Beijing banks on “smart grids” to make the country more energy-efficient, a senior executive said.
By Reuters
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Photo: SAGE ElectrochromicsSAGE Electrochromics Gets $100+ MillionAnother day, another announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). Yesterday, it was$100 million in funding for clean tech energy projectsvia ARPA-E, and today it’s $72 million in loan guarantees which are being added to an existing $31 million tax credit. The beneficiary isSAGE Electrochromics, the inventor of a special glass that can be made tinted by pressing a button….Read the full story on TreeHugger
By treehugger.com
Found on the net for you by the news bot

Photo: SAGE ElectrochromicsSAGE Electrochromics Gets $100+ MillionAnother day, another announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE). Yesterday, it was$100 million in funding for clean tech energy projectsvia ARPA-E, and today it’s $72 million in loan guarantees which are being added to an existing $31 million tax credit. The beneficiary isSAGE Electrochromics, the inventor of a special glass that can be made tinted by pressing a button….Read the full story on TreeHugger
By treehugger.com
Found on the net for you by the news bot

IBM expects the China revenues of its energy and utilities division to grow by $400 million from now until 2014 as Beijing banks on “smart grids” to make the country more energy-efficient, a senior executive said.
By Reuters
Found on the net for you by the news bot

IBM expects the China revenues of its energy and utilities division to grow by $400 million from now until 2014 as Beijing banks on “smart grids” to make the country more energy-efficient, a senior executive said.
By Reuters
Found on the net for you by the news bot

As part of a new series of papers regarding federal, state and local decisions to expand energy efficiency choices for consumers,DEFGhas published a free reporton New York City’s “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan.”The GGBP is a key component of an effort to reduce pollution and energy costs in the city by 30% by 2030 and was initially touted as “first‐of‐its‐kind.” Not surprisingly, it was scaled back after pressure from local building owners. The author,Cynthia Boland, Esq., has provided a discussion of the opposition to the law, potential business and legal challenges, and comments on the future of green building legislation.

Why is the GGBP a harbinger of things to come? It is a landmark legislation that mandates compliance with four laws:

• a  municipal  energy  code  setting standards and  energy  use  in  large  buildings
• a  sub‐metering  requirement
• requirements  for  energy  audits
• requirements for retro‐ commissioning

Yet, the process and the politics can shed light on the complexities of getting this kind of legislation enacted in the future.  The story of GGBP can serve as a “learning experience” for other  major  cities  considering  legislation  to  improve  energy  efficiency  in  existing  buildings.

Finally, the story of GGBP highlights something we’ve known for years.  That despite all the commotion about federal climate change legislation, most of the action with respect to energy efficiency and renewable energy is occurring at the state and local level. This means that we can all have a big impact on promoting change—not just within your our own businesses, but by working together to change attitudes, influence policymakers, and promote innovation. When you begin to think about getting involved, think nationally, think statewide—and think locally. Many issues related to sustainability and your business—from energy policy to recycling services—are addressed at a local or state level.

Jennifer Kaplan is a Senior Adviser toDEFG LLCand the author ofGreening Your Small Business(Prentice Hall 2009).

Photo:James D’Addio

By Jennifer Kaplan
Found on the net for you by the news bot

Sweden will build 2,000 new wind turbines over the next decade as part of a bid to dramatically increase its production of renewable energy, Enterprise and Energy Minister Maud Olofsson said Tuesday.
By AFP
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British households will be able to take out soft loans to improve the efficiency of their homes from 2013, repaying these from energy savings made, the government said on Tuesday.
By Reuters
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Photo: Energy AustraliaWant to live rent free for a year, and pay no costs for energy and water needs? Not enough incentive for you? How about the possibility of having a plug-in electric car in your garage, as well?

This is the deal that Energy Australia is offering, in concert with Sydney Water. They’ll be interviewing successful applicants, who will ideally be a family with kids to spend 12 month live-testing an energy and water smart home in the west of Sydney. The project that has been described by the NSW state government, one of the backers, as a ‘bit like “The Jetsons” meet “Big Brother.’…Read the full story on TreeHugger
By treehugger.com
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