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.
Tag Archives | USGBC
District of New Mexico Rules Again on Summary Judgment Motions in AHRI et al. v. City of Albuquerque
After granting partial summary judgment to the plaintiffs last year, the District of New Mexico has ruled on a fresh set of summary judgment motions and effectively enjoined the City of Albuquerque from implementing amendments to its Energy Conservation Code.
2010 FTC Green Guides: Update & Green Building Marketing Primer (Presentation)
At the USGBC’s 2011 Greenbuild Legal Forum, one topic of conversation was the (still) pending 2010 updates to the FTC Green Guides and the implications those updates will have for environmental marketing generally, and green building marketing specifically.
Bain v. Vertex Architects: Firm “Failed to Diligently Pursue and Obtain LEED for Homes Certification from USGBC”
A lawsuit filed last fall in Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court appears to be the first to allege that a party failed to “pursue and obtain” LEED certification as required by the contract documents.
Destined for Disaster? “Revolutionary” Green Bond Financing for Syracuse Mega-Project In Jeopardy
The “revolutionary” green bond financing for the ambitious Destiny USA mega-mall project in Syracuse, New York may lose its tax-exempt status because the developer has failed to incorporate certain green design features as promised in its application to the IRS for the exemption.
In Toronto, Ontario Municipal Board Rejects Request for LEED-Based Project Variance
The proposed design for a 3-story home in the Kingsway section of Toronto does not qualify for a variance based on the project’s proposed LEED certification.
The Top 5 Legal Issues in Green Real Estate: 2010
We take a look back at the five most important legal issues (plus a special bonus issue!) that we discussed during 2010 here at GRELJ before moving forward into what promises to be just as wild a ride for green design, construction, and real estate legal issues in 2011.
Breaking: Henry Gifford Leads Class Action Lawsuit Against USGBC in Southern District of New York
A group of plaintiffs led by Henry Gifford has filed a class action lawsuit against USGBC in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
District of New Mexico Rules on Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment in AHRI et al. v. City of Albuquerque
United States District Court Judge Martha Vazquez has ruled on a motion for summary judgment filed by the plaintiffs back in September of 2009 that certain portions of Albuquerque’s Energy Conservation Code are preempted by federal legislation.
Green Leasing: Owners, Brokers Must Carefully Consider Interplay of LEED-EB:OM and LEED-CI
The interplay – or lack thereof – between individual LEED rating systems may create unanticipated liabilities for landlords and brokers who market LEED-EB:OM-certified space to tenants that subsequently seek to pursue LEED-CI.
