Take an old technology which has not seen any real updates in decades, make it internet connected and add a few semiconductors (to make it smart) and radically change the way offices and homes consume energy ! That is what the Nest Learning Thermostat promises to do. See the video below.
Financing Renewable Energy: Protect the Planet, Boost your ROI
Protecting this planet’s natural resources for future generations is a moral obligation; unfortunately, moral obligations do not pay the bills. Coal is a nonrenewable resource that causes pollution. But it’s cheap. Renewable energy is often a more expensive alternative to using coal, oil, or natural gas to produce energy. Recognizing that renewable energy must be financially viable for individuals
Green Leasing Unveiled – Part II
In Part I of our series on the particulars of Green Leasing, we discussed Lease Term and Operating Expenses. Now we turn to a robust area for implementing sustainable processes between Landlords and Tenants:
Interior Alterations and Repairs
A typical commercial lease will have two separate sections, one on maintenance and repairs, and one on
USGBC AND ITS FOUNDERS SUED OVER THE LEED™ GREEN BUILDING RATINGS SYSTEM
A federal lawsuit in New York that involves Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO") claims is one of the latest developments in the United States Green Building Council’s ("USGBC") development and administration of the LEED™ building ratings system. The lawsuit appears highly contentious to say the least. Plaintiffs Henry Gifford and Gifford Fuel Saving, Inc. initiated a class
Get Informed: Green Building is Here to Stay
Green building is quickly becoming the "norm" across America, and those who are not familiar with it could be missing important opportunities in today’s construction climate. The United States Green Building Council ("USGBC") is a non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone. USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
ODOD Announces Start of “Making Efficiency Work” Funding
The Ohio Department of Development has announced the availability of $8,000,000 in grant funding for qualifying energy efficiency projects undertaken at existing multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings. The goal of the program is to encourage the installation of energy efficiency equipment that will measurably improve the energy efficiency of existing multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings. The program
A Fuel Cell for the Rest of US
Recently, 60 Minutes aired a story about Bloom Energy, a Silicon Valley alternative energy start-up, which has developed fuel cell technology capable of taking us off of the electrical grid. The video speaks for itself so watch it below. As you watch it, think about how technology such as this will transform the real estate
HUD Green Retrofit
In the past, we have spoken about grants and loans available through the Ohio Department of Development for advanced energy residential projects, such as solar and wind energy installation. Federal funding is also available for residential energy-reduction projects through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). A total of $250 Million from ARRA was allocated to HUD for its Assisted Housing Green Retrofit Program (GRP). Under GRP, HUD is offering up to $15,000 per residential unit for projects that reduce energy costs, reduce water use, and improve indoor environmental quality. HUD expects to fund about 25,000 units (approximately 300-350 properties), with an average $10,000 provided to each unit.
Beginning June 15, 2009, HUD is accepting applications for GRP funding on a first come, first served basis, and subject to allocations for project categories, geographic location and owner/affiliate concentration. HUD may offer either a Green Retrofit Grant or a Green Retrofit Loan repayable from a share of surplus cash and from sale and refinancing proceeds. The performance period for completing all Green Retrofits will generally be twelve (12) months, but in no event may it exceed twenty-four (24) months. The program requirements differ depending on the type of project-based assistance contract and depending on the owner entity (nonprofit or for profit).
The properties eligible to receive GRP funding are the following: Section 202 funded properties that have at least 32 units; Section 811 funded properties that have at least 8 units; properties receiving assistance pursuant to Section 8 with USDA Section 515 loans and which have at least 20 units; and all other Section 8 funded properties having at least 72 units.