Green

U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has sent a letter to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) president and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, urging changes to the treatment of forest products under the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2012 rating system. LEED is currently taking public comment as it revises its evaluation process and standards, which will be released in November of 2012.

Renewable Resources (Energy Solutions) Ltd launched operations in North America to provide roof-mounted solar technology for residential & commercial customers across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

As a result of Renewable Resources origins in Scotland, the launch is timed to coincide with Tartan Week 2012, a series of events in New York City celebrating Scottish culture and innovation in the United States.

The American Wood Council CEO Robert Glowinski said the AWC is hopeful about a plan to harmonize green building standards.

In a statement issued Thursday, Glowinski said:

“The American Wood Council is hopeful about the recently announced strategy to harmonize ASHRAE 189.1, IgCC and LEED into a standardized tool. While the streamlining strategy presented is encouraging, its success will depend on whether the leadership of the organizations provides the direction necessary to carry-out the coordination as envisioned. 

The Natural Marketing Institute’s (NMI) new white paper, "Is Sustainability Sustainable?" contains insights from the group's consumer trends study.

Written by Frank J. Lampe and Monica Emerich, Ph.D., the white paper on green attitudes is available here.

The Home Depot has launched a nationwide campaign to bring water conservation savvy to the masses, especially those in drought-affected areas.

On April 26, the retailer will hold free Water Conservation Workshops at all 1,977 of its U.S. locations, where attendees can learn ten different strategies for saving water.

These projects include converting to a dual-flush toilet, switching to EPA WaterSense labeled showerheads and faucets, installing drip irrigation and rotary nozzle or dual spray sprinklers and more.

Luxury home builder Toll Brothers has partnered with EchoFirst, a solar energy provider, to build new communities in Arizona that provide a complete solar energy system for water, heating and cooling. EchoFirst supplements conventional solar electric PV panels with solar thermal technology that generates electricity for hot water, as well as thermal energy for heating and cooling the home. This enables Toll Brothers to offer homes that use 70% to 80% less energy than a standard code-built home, according to the announcement.

A new U.S. Forest Service study is urging U.S. builders to prioritize wood as a green building material due to its environmental benefits, low carbon emissions, and verifiable third-party rating system for “green” certification.

The past months have seen a tightening of EPA regulations on rodenticide products. But according to at least one manufacturer, the strategy is misguided.