Content about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

A bill signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month is starting to trickle down through local municipalities, which must now decide whether to adopt a tax exemption for buildings certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or other green initiative standards.

According to paver manufacturer EP Henry, maker of the ECO line of permeable pavers, there are several ways an outdoor paved area can be environmentally friendly, contribute to LEED certification and earn the owner tax credits.

The benefits apply to homes and businesses, according to the company. Here are six:

U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has sent a letter to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) president and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, urging changes to the treatment of forest products under the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2012 rating system. LEED is currently taking public comment as it revises its evaluation process and standards, which will be released in November of 2012.

There’s a lot riding on how the United States government defines green building. A review process has groups jockeying for position, according to an article in Federal Times.

Among the building material groups pressing for revisions to the LEED-centric status quo are the PVC pipe manufacturers and the lumber industry.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is promoting its Green Glue Noiseproofing System as a tool to prevent noise issues throughout the building cycle.

The company said the ability to specify the LEED-certified Green Glue Noiseproofing System at the start can prevent noise issues later in the project.

An article on Philly.com reveals that Philadelphia will have plenty of environmentally friendly projects to show off for GreenBuild when it comes to town in 2013. 

GreenBuild is the annual conference of the U.S. Green Building Council, and it will enter its 12th year in 2013. The event will take place Nov. 20 to 22. 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has honored KB Home’s Primera Terra community with a 2011 LEED for Homes award. The LEED Platinum project, one of the largest in California, was recognized as the best in the Multi-Family category.

The U.S. District Court in New York City has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Green Building Council that accused it of false advertising in connection to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Throughout the downturn of the last four years or so we have seen the lumber and building materials industry shrink dramatically. Some estimates of sales shrinkage at the dealer level put it beyond 50%. In some markets, that estimate is absurdly low. There is no denying that everyone in all segments and steps in the chain is battered. Unfortunately, even the homeowner/consumer is somewhat damaged as well.