Topic: Green Building (5)
Triangle MLS Goes 'Green'
After almost four years of work by realtors, homebuilders and others, the Triangle Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (TMLS), which includes 16 counties in the greater Triangle area, has agreed to add new categories to home listings that detail green building features. As of March 11, the MLS has implemented new "green" categories on listings, including green building certifications (select up to 3: Energy Star Homes, GHBT Green Certified Home, NC Healthy Built Home Certified, LEED-H Certified) and 19 categories, including the following features:
| Solar hot water | Tankless water heater |
| Geothermal heat system (closed loop) | Sealed crawl space |
| No-Low VOC in paints, sealants, varnishes | Spray foam insulation |
| Engineered Wood products | EPA Watersense Plumbing Fixtures |
| Energy Star Appliances | Energy Star Lighting Fixtures |
|
Sealed Combustion Fireplaces/ |
Photovoltaics - Solar Power |
| Advanced Framing/Concrete Construction | Infill lot |
| Rainwater collection | Xeriscaping / Drought resistant plants |
| Fresh air ventilation | Recycled Construction / Household waste |
| Radiant heated floors |
Triad Green Building Chapter Launched
The Piedmont Triad chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council recently held its inaugural event at the Proximity Hotel, with hundreds attending. The event was the culmination of about seven months of work by the group to gain official chapter status. Greg Savage, director of sustainable construction for John S. Clark Co., who is chairman, said the group will focus on education about green building, as well as working with the state legislature and officials to push for public policy and bills that encourage sustainable practices.
Pennsylvania Governor Signs Bill Establishing US $650 Million Energy Fund
DOE to Guarantee $10 Billion in Loans for Efficiency, Renewables
The New Math: School systems eye economics of sustainable design
"As a pioneer in green school construction, Guilford County has seen some lightbulbs come on -- or off, actually.
"Last year the N.C. Senate approved a bill that would require any school built with state funding to exceed the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air conditioning Engineers Inc. (Ashrae) energy use-standards by 30 percent. The bill is still being considered in the state House.
And earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved more than $20 billion to be spent during the next five years to help school districts build and renovate schools to be more energy efficient. Under the bill, schools receiving the funding would have to meet the requirements of one of three different green construction programs. Requirements for meeting the standards would be phased in, but by 2013, schools receiving any of the construction funding would need to use 90 percent of the money for green elements. The legislation still needs to be voted on by the Senate, and President Bush has threatened a veto...."
