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/ Woodstoves	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

 

http://www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com/rea/news/story?id=53096&src=rss

 

In response to NCSEA's collaborative work to create a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard law in North Carolina, our State's clean energy markets are now developing rapidly.  Sencera International Corporation's recent announcement to build a thin-film solar manufacturing facility in NC is just the most recent example.  Read several stories on this below:

http://www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com/rea/news/story?id=53021&src=rss
"Sencera International Corporation announced that it plans to invest US $36.8 million in a new manufacturing plant in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company said that the plan was made possible in part by a US $62,000 One North Carolina Fund grant as well as local incentives from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County."

http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/07/07/daily6.html
"Sencera International Corp. will invest $36.8 million to build a solar-module factory in Mecklenburg County.  The company, which develops devices that convert solar energy into electricity, expects to create 65 jobs here over the next three years.  Salaries will vary by job type, but the average annual wage will be $73,462, not including benefits. Mecklenburg County’s average annual wage is $48,724."

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/nc/story/1134074.html
"RALEIGH - A solar-panel company will create 65 jobs and invest more than $36 million in the next three years to build a factory in Mecklenburg County."

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS32590+08-Jul-2008+BW20080708
"Sencera International Corporation, a manufacturer of thin film solar (photovoltaic) modules is expanding in Charlotte. The company plans to invest $36.8 million and create 65 jobs during the next three years. It was made possible in part by a $62,000 One North Carolina Fund grant as well as local incentives from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121556087828237463.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop

[Watch video of Pickens speaking on same webpage as full news story.]

"One of the benefits of being around a long time is that you get to know a lot about certain things. I'm 80 years old and I've been an oilman for almost 60 years. I've drilled more dry holes and also found more oil than just about anyone in the industry. With all my experience, I've never been as worried about our energy security as I am now. Like many of us, I ignored what was happening. Now our country faces what I believe is the most serious situation since World War II.

...The future begins as soon as Congress and the president act. The government must mandate the formation of wind and solar transmission corridors, and renew the subsidies for economic and alternative energy development in areas where the wind and sun are abundant."

http://www.RenewableEnergyWorld.com/rea/news/story?id=53023&src=rss