Archives

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) released three new reports as part of its Green Proving Ground program, which tests building technologies in real-world situations to evaluate their potential to save energy, water, and reduce utility costs. Through the Green Proving Ground, GSA is finding new ways that federal buildings across the nation can save taxpayer dollars, while also finding the best use of these technologies.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three affordable housing developments are the recipients of the 2013 HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Award, each recognized for excellence in residential housing design. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected Via Verde-The Green Way in New York City; Community Learning in Leominster, Massachusetts; and New Accessible Passive Solar Housing, Stoneham, Massachusetts as national affordable housing models

WASHINGTON, DC - May 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Energy Department and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) today announced that registration is now open for America’s Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC), a national student competition created to help families save money by saving energy. Students, educators, and school principals are encouraged to register to participate at HomeEnergyChallenge.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, the Green Building Advisory Committee established by the General Services Administration (GSA), officially recommended to GSA that the LEED green building certification system be used for all GSA buildings as the best measure of building efficiency. The committee also conveyed that LEED should be the primary way to show how agency buildings use energy and water and that LEED standards are the most conducive to meet the Energy Independence and Security Act.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 24, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have calibrated the significant value that concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can add to an electric grid.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recognizes the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, along with millions of people worldwide. Just as the Earth Day movement has grown and advanced over the years, so too has the home building industry. In many respects, what was once considered “green building” has become more commonplace and regularly incorporated into today’s new homes

WASHINGTON, DC - April 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the four winners of the Campus RainWorks Challenge, a new design challenge created to inspire the next generation of landscape architects, planners and engineers to develop innovative green infrastructure systems that reduce stormwater pollution and support sustainable communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The projects will be honored at the AIA 2013 National Convention and Design Exposition in Denver.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Green Power Partnership released an updated list of the Top 50 organizations that are choosing to use electricity from clean, renewable sources.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a series of changes to make it easier for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for renewable energy and energy efficiency funding. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently made three key hires to lead research centers. NREL has named Tom Foust, a nine-year NREL veteran, as its National Bioenergy Center Director; David Post as the Center Director for the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF); and Rich Greene as Biosciences Center Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched an initiative to build an open-source database of real-world performance from solar facilities across the country. As part of DOE’s SunShot Initiative, the Open Solar Performance and Reliability Clearinghouse (O-SPaRC) will give the private market tools to develop investment vehicles to tap low-cost public capital.

Washington, D.C. - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Once raised on “Bonanza,” and “Gunsmoke,” today Baby Boomers in record numbers are building dream homes made from logs. Boomers are drawn to these rustic residences because they offer a sense of sanctuary and a connection to nature that no stick frame home can duplicate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today that Dan Winters recently joined the organization as Senior Research Fellow for Business Strategy and Finance

BOSTON AND WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) announced today the release of “An Economic Perspective on Building Labeling Policies,” a report co-authored by Harvard University Environmental Economist Robert N. Stavins that examines the extent to which mandatory building energy labeling results in reduced energy use. The research and the resulting report were sponsored by BOMA International and GBREB.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized a select group of manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, home builders and other organizations at the 2013 ENERGY STAR Awards for their contributions supporting energy efficiency activities during a ceremony on March 26, 2013.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- “Home Energy Efficiency and Mortgage Risks” was released today (March 19) by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Center for Community Capital and the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency. The report can be downloaded at www.ccc.unc.edu and at imt.org/resources/detail/home-energy-efficiency-and-mortgage-risks.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the approval of three major renewable energy projects that, when built, are expected to deliver 1,100 megawatts to the grid – enough to power more than 340,000 homes – and help support more than 1,000 jobs through construction and operations

GARDENA, CA - March 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In a move that launches an interiorscape division, Dworsky Partners, a firm that specializes in integrated acquisitions for companies in the building services industry, has formed a partnership with R&J Hall Environmental Services, an established interiorscape company. The new entity, named Dworsky Interiorscape, LLC, gives the firm a strong foothold into the Southern California interior landscaping market. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed