The House of Representatives’ Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight’s recent hearing “The Science Behind Green Building Rating Systems” is perhaps the highest-profile example that changes are on the horizon for federal green building policy.
Archive | D.C.
National Institute of Building Sciences Identifies Risk & Policy Problems Flowing from Green Building Rating Systems
In September of 2008, the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences (“NIBS”) assembled a Task Group of design professionals, builders, and its own staff members to review third-party building performance rating systems and associated individual accreditation programs currently in use across the United States. The Task Group identified twenty systems and programs and interviewed representatives from AIA, ASHRAE, BOMA, GBI, NAHB, EPA, USGBC, and Victor O. Schinnerer & Co.. among others, in compiling its “Report on Building Rating and Certification in the U.S. Building Community,” which was released last month.
Green Commercial Office Space in New York City Currently Ranks Third in U.S.
A recent report out of the University of San Diego has ranked U.S. cities by total square footage of LEED- or Energy Star-rated office space, and New York City has finished third.
NAHB to Congress: Keep Dangling Green Building Carrots, Don’t Wave Sticks
In testimony yesterday before the House Small Business Committee, the National Association of Home Builders emphasized its belief that voluntary energy efficiency programs and tax incentives remain the best approach for reducing residential energy consumption across America rather than blanket federal mandates. Pennsylvania home builder Frank Thompson told the Committee that “Congress should be promoting […]
Surety Industry Raises Red Flags Over D.C. Green Building Act
Concerns over LEED creep (the application of LEED mandates to private projects) include the potential for awkwardly- or hastily-drafted legislation to change the risk structure associated with a given green construction project for various project stakeholders. For example, back in early August, the Surety and Fidelity Association of America (“SFAA”) and the National Association of […]
AIA’s DesignDC ’07: Leading Design*
*Architects, designers, engineers, contractors and other Washington-area professionals with an eye for design headed to DesignDC 2007 on the 18th of July to discuss the theory, trends, tools, and technology needed to ensure and maintain industry leadership. This three-day, peer-to-peer, interactive conference and exhibit offered unparalleled access to cutting-edge information—delivered by some of design’s most […]
Congress Hears Industry Testimony on Green Building
On Tuesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing entitled “Green Buildings: Benefits to Health, the Environment, and the Bottom Line.” You should be able to access an archived webcast of the hearing here, as well as hard copies of the testimony provided by each witness. The Committee heard testimony from Robert […]
GSA to Require BIM for Select Projects
By Stephen Del Percio on November 23, 2006 in BIM, D.C., Intellectual Property & Technology, Legislation
Following up on my last post about BIM, the General Services Administration has announced that it will require new buildings designed through its Public Buildings Service to employ BIM during the design phase. “We are making this fiscal ’07 requirement as a minimum requirement,” said Calvin Kam, GSA’s BIM project manager. “We are encouraging [people], […]
