The DVGBC Education Programs Committee presents Making Green Housing Affordable: Sustainability in Affordable Housing and How to Get These Two Objectives to Meet. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 starting at 5:30 PM. More>>
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 Sherry Riesner Connector and Marketing Consultant for Green Building Products and Services & Real Estate |
Welcome to Smart Building TalkYou can also "Like" our sister site at Facebook.com/SmartBuildingTalk or follow me on Twitter @sherryriesner, where you can find most SBT posts also published. DVGBC needs your support! The Next Great City (NGC) coalition, a partner of Delaware Valley Green Building Council, has recently started a web-based campaign to make a last push to reform Philadelphia’s dated zoning code. NGC has identified modern zoning policies as one of the most important ways to build a positive future for Philadelphia, and they need your signature on the petition to convince City Council to approve the new zoning code. More>> The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and The Appraisal Foundation have partnered together to bring the appraisal industry up to speed for the valuation of green buildings. More>> Public Radio International’s venerable radio show and podcast, This American Life, recently took on stories revolving around Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania communities. The program is divided into two acts: Act One: Producer Sarah Koenig continues the story Terry Engelder and Dan Volz, their rival calculations about natural gas in Pennsylvania, and how each was treated by his university. She explains how Pennsylvania’s universities, politicans and industry have united to develop natural gas. Other states have been more cautious. More>> State Senator John Rafferty is re-introducing legislation in the Pennsylvania State Senate this month that would mandate future government construction meet stringent green building criteria. According to the PennFuture Center for Enterprise and Environment: This legislation will promote energy efficiency, pollution reduction, renewable energy and healthier indoor air quality through common-sense standards and proper building design and construction. The requirements will apply to new construction and renovation of all major projects (buildings larger than 5,000 feet) owned or leased by state government as well as to new school building construction and renovation in the fastest-growing school districts. We join PennFuture, PennEnvironment, and countless other local businesses and organizations in asking you to contact your state senator and asking them to co-sponsor or otherwise support Senator Rafferty’s bill. You can look up the names and contact information for your state legislators here. PennFuture has created a list of key talking points to help guide you on the call. More>> Green upgrades like planting trees can increase property value while increasing comfort. Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers are providing an avenue for Philadelphia area residents and businesses to contribute to their own well-being as well as their community’s. WRV’s fundraising campaign, ”Spring for Trees,” seeks to raise enough money to plant an additional 1000 native-species trees in the area. More>> The Philadelphia Gas Commission has approved a study conducted by the City Council and will direct the Philadelphia Gas Works to avoid purchasing any gas from Marcellus Shale until an EPA study on the fracking extraction technique used in that natural gas exploration is concluded in 2012. The measure, proposed by Councilman Curtis Jones, makes Philadelphia the first major city in the US to prohibit the purchase of gas obtained by fracking. More>> New York’s Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is soon to undergo some renovations, and architectural and landscaping firms are making proposals to the community. One of the proposals, from landscape architecture firm Starr Whitehouse, would create a canopy of solar panels over the trench where the expressway is below street level. With green spaces running along the sides, the hope would be to create both a visual and sound buffer for the surrounding community, in addition to the rainwater runoff and electricity generation possibilities that would be created. The way the BQE is designed, below street level with many bridges above for cross streets, is similar to the Vine Street Expressway in Center City. Would a similar project work in the city? Could this area become a more pedestrian and green-friendly space?
[source: inhabitat.com] This post by SBT contributor Bill Russo. —- Local green construction firm Build It Green, Inc. was recently featured in Green Building and Design magazine. The group’s work at “The Candy Factory” in Clifton Heights was featured, and the group’s founder Scott Yohe was interviewed to get his take on why he started the company and what they are doing. More>> So much of what we talk about at SBT is the end result of the work of so many different professions. Engineers, realtors, policymakers: all of them have a role in creating sustainable communities. If you are looking for ways to contribute your talents, a recent U.S. News and World Report publication that has named urban planning as one of the top 50 careers for 2011. More>> There aren’t many safe bets at a casino, but the new Sugarhouse Casino on Delaware Ave. in Philadelphia is making one on their new building by installing green walls. The modules were constructed by Green Living Technologies in coordination with the building’s architect and builder. Supporting over a dozen varieties of plants, the walls reduce the cooling load for the building and reduce carbon dioxide and pollutant concentrations. Any green wall experts out there – what do you think?
[source: g_space newsletter] If you missed the big news in the midst of your holiday preparations, supported by bipartisan champions in Congress, President Obama signed into law on 12/17 a one-year extension of the federal grant for commercial solar installations, known as the Department of Treasury Section 1603 program, through 2011. A 30 percent solar investment tax credit (ITC) runs 2008-2016, however, in the current recession many companies have not been able to utilize the tax credit. The grant program was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide commercial solar installations with a cash grant in lieu of the ITC. Data compiled by the Solar Energy Industries Association through 11/22/10 shows that to date the program has supported more than 97 projects in Pennsylvania and 164 projects in New Jersey. And PA, thanks to our additional state incentives, is the #4 state in the country to have taken advantage of these grants – after California, Florida, and New Jersey. The program has been critical in allowing the solar industry to grow by over 100 percent in 2010, create enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes and provide work to more than 93,000 Americans. Additional details at http://www.seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=1181 Please contact me for a no-cost, no-obligation solar assessment for your home or other property, with new $0 to low money down options, at sherry. From the Audubon Society: Do not issue Natural Gas Regulations before the cumulative impact study!Please send an email to the Delaware River Basin Commission (Commission) NOW to tell them to conduct the Cumulative Impacts Study FIRST, not to issue draft natural gas regulations prematurely. The Commission is rushing these rules under unrelenting pressure from the industry and from officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who are pushing to fast track the rules and lift the current gas drilling moratorium in the Delaware River Basin Watershed, even though they do not fully understand the environmental ramifications of doing so. We cannot let this happen! Easy email option through Audubon: https://secure3.convio.net/nasaud/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=949&autologin=true More>> According to a recent Forbes.com article, Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood is one of the most fuel efficient communities in America. As Philly company G8 Life notes: “With centrally located residences from hip lofts in converted warehouses hosting the next generation of artist, graphic designers, and entrepreneurs, to freshly renovated town homes and new construction. There’s no wonder why the neighborhood is a magnet for young, fast [paced] yuppies and hipsters commuting to Center City and Temple University. Transportation costs are the second-lowest among neighborhoods in the 10 largest metropolitan neighborhoods. Public transit ridership is at around 12%, with short commutes to Old City, Center City, and close by Northern Liberties.” This does not come as much of a surprise to us here at SBT, as many of the green homes that we have posted here on our website are found in Fishtown. Congratuations, Philadelphia! For the most part, when people think of green and black at Lincoln Financial Field, they are thinking about the uniforms on the Eagles’ players during home games. Now that the team has unveiled a plan to make the stadium energy self-sufficient by next season, those colors better reflect green refurbishments including wind turbines and the black solar panels that together will produce a little more than a quarter of the stadium’s power needs. The rest will come from a natural gas/biodiesel generator. Public- and private-sector development project proposals not yet under construction may be submitted for recognition by the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance. Projects are reviewed by an independent jury of planning, construction and design professionals according to the published guidelines of the Alliance, which hopes to encourage smart growth solutions in community development. Recognized projects receive a letter of endorsement and offer of testimony before local approval authorities. Applications may be made for either preliminary or final review. Please find the application and guidelines here: www.delawarevalleysmartgrowth.org The next quarterly deadlines for submission are Dec. 1 and March 1. As part of Sustainability Week and other planned celebrations of arts and humanities at Temple University in April 2011, a multidisciplinary symposium, GRID + flow, will feature presentations on the topic of people’s relationship to the environment in urban centers, especially, in the context of environmental justice and climate change. The Symposium is requesting proposals by faculty, professionals and advanced graduate students. Please submit your 250-word abstract for a 20-minute paper, plus a one-page CV, by email to braddock by January 7, 2011. More>> Nonprofit organizations, as well as schools, businesses, and municipalities are encouraged to apply for a grant for environmental education programs, especially those focused on air and water quality, and global warming, including techniques and technologies supporting carbon sequestration, stormwater management and energy conservation. Application and guidelines may be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/grants___loans/6012 by SmartBuildingTalk.com Contributor Bill Russo John Fowler, President of Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Materials and Services delivered a lecture entitled, “Corporate Responsibility: A Leadership Challenge,” as part of the Academy of Natural Sciences Center for Environmental Policy’s “Profitable Pathways to Sustainability” series at the Four Seasons hotel recently. The series, which works with local business leaders, “facilitates the value proposition of sustainability… by moving along the spectrum of sustainability from adoption through institutionalization,” according to the CEP’s director Roland Wall. More>> An accomplished college-level literature teacher and social worker, Eleanor Smith in the mid-1970s had to crawl to the bathroom of her first apartment because the doorway and hall dimensions did not allow wheelchair access. A lifelong access advocate, Ms. Smith, who now lives in Georgia in an “intentional community” – i.e., in this case, designed to be wheelchair accessible – traveled to Philadelphia recently to help architects design new, affordable, single-family homes in East Kensington More>> On Nov. 17th the Public Interest Law Center and WHYY are partnering up for a free screening of “Deep Down,” a documentary that “puts a human face on the consequences of our environmental impact.” Specifically it focuses on mountaintop removal mining in Kentucky, but more broadly with fundamental questions about who controls natural resources in our society. This is a critical debate for the Philadelphia area with many questions still unresolved over Marcellus Shale drilling in the state. Film will be followed by a panel discussion linking the film to our local Pennsylvania debate on the Marcellus Shale drilling with Adam H. Cutler (Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia), Tracy Carluccio (Delaware Riverkeepers), Christine Knapp (Penn Future) and special guests State Representative Tony Payton, Jr. and Secretary John Hanger of the Department of Environmental Protection. Moderated by WHYY-FM reporter Susan Phillips. Free and open to the public. To reserve your seat go to whyy.convio.net/deepdown ISA has been busy this fall putting the final touches on two LEED-rated residential projects, and collecting awards on two of their newest ones, including “The Nine” green homes for sale. More>> A good friend of mine, Dr. Joni Carley, is offering on free one hour teleclass on Thursday (or will email it to you). Thursday Nov. 11th at 12:00 pm ET . Joni is an amazing business coach, and she is co-author of the book ”Stepping Stones to Success”. More>> Dave and Adrienne Rivell in West Goshen (Chester County) have renovated homes to sell twice in the past with success, but earlier this year they decided to settle in one themselves. Their goal from the beginning was to make it as environmentally sustainable as they could. After a few years of steady work, the couple are nearing the completion of the renovation with the help of five local businesses. More>> The Shale Game, an ongoing series on WHYY.org, has been offering comprehensive coverage on the issue of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. Hardworking farmers in upstate PA have already benefited from this “gas rush,” and some tout the industry as a welcome boost to the state economy, but many in the Delaware Valley are concerned that the practice of fracturing rock formation and infusing proprietary cocktails of toxic chemicals to release gas (fracking) could have implications for the region’s water supply for years to come. More>> Summary from from last week’s Marcellus Shale hearing at Philadelphia City Council that I attended, convened by Councilman Curtis Jones, with several panels of experts who gave testimony. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/business_breaking/20100506_Some_Marcellus_Shale_drilling_put_on_hold.html The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program Keystone HELP) is featured in the current issue of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s community newsletter for the low-interest-rate loans it has been making to homeowners to finance their energy efficiency improvements. Under the Keystone HELP program, AFC First Financial Corporation of Allentown lends up to $15,000 unsecured and up to $35,000 secured to qualified borrowers. While most of the loans to date have been made for repairs, “proactive” energy efficiency measures, such as audits and retrofits, including geothermal, etc., are also encouraged, although these are underwritten using slightly more stringent guidelines. More>> For Philly area folks who survived the flooding last Fri. of the Schuylkill and smaller waterways, and could use a 3 min. cheer-up on another rainy day, as we descend into fall and shorter days of daylight… Check out this Beatles gem, also in honor of John Lennon’s 70th (!) birthday this Saturday. “I can show you that when it start to rain – everything’s the same [...] Can you hear me, that when it rains and shines, it’s just a state of mind [...] I don’t mind” Lyrics and videos: More>> TUES. OCT. 5, 6:30PM – Our DVGBC Residential committee (officially called the “Residential Circle”) at our regular monthly meeting has a GREAT GUEST SPEAKER: CHARLIE KAMP OF AMERISUS, with a new kit homes product, based in Norristown. More>> The New York Times series includes an interesting and informative video about the certified passive-solar construction of a family’s second home in Vermont, one of only 13 such projects in the U.S., compared to 25,000 to date in Europe – including homes, schools and commercial buildings. In the U.S., sourcing materials and installation expertise is still challenging. But the benefits are dramatic at 80% greater energy efficiency. See the series and video here http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/series/beyond_fossil_fuels/index.html Heavy rains at the recent grand opening of Expresspark, the new 680-space parking lot serving Philadelphia Int’l Airport, helped demonstrate the benefits of porous pavement and retention basin for preventing runoff and filtering stormwater. The recycled materials and non-VOC paints used in its construction, plus energy-efficient lighting and air-filtration systems, as well as flex-fuel shuttles, make the facility a model of sustainable design. Read the full article in the Philadelphia Business Journal . People for People of Philadelphia will team up with Volt Energy of Winston-Salem N.C. to train 80 participants in solar panel installation. Training will be focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy and include literacy, basic skills and work readiness. Those completing the program will receive recognized solar thermal installer certification. Read the full article in the Philadelphia Business Journal. The New York Times series includes an interesting and informative video about the certified passive-solar construction of a family’s second home in Vermont, one of only 13 such projects in the U.S., compared to 25,000 to date in Europe – including homes, schools and commercial buildings. In the U.S., sourcing materials and installation expertise is still challenging. But the benefits are dramatic at 80% greater energy efficiency. See the series and video here http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/series/beyond_fossil_fuels/index.html Please share this with to any appropriate people/lists TODAY. Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. will hold “Marcellus Shale” hearings on Tuesday, September 28th at 10am, in City Hall to the joint committees of Transportation & Utilities and the Environment. These hearings will examine the environmental and economic impacts for Philadelphia of hydraulic drilling (Fracking) onto Marcellus Shale. More>> Right on the heels of the cohousing planning meeting in Roxborough we mentioned earlier this week, there is more planning activity taking place in the area for green cohousing in Chester County. London Grove Township will have a second zoning hearing to discuss the proposed Three Groves Ecovillage in West Grove on Wednesday, October 6th at 6pm in the township building. More>> Are you interested in helping shape the future of a groundbreaking green community in Northwest Philadelphia? Do cohousing communities interest you? There will be more monthly info meetings to discuss the plans for a cohousing community in Roxborough. The development team will be on hand to answer questions about the time and cost of the project, as well as cohousing itself. More>> Green and Save, based in Devon, PA was recently profiled in the Daily Local News covering Chester County, including their LED lighting systems which helped Animal Works in Wayne save an estimated $660.44 a month in electricity bills. They also work with residential customers, offering efficiency checkups complete with a fully detailed return on investment analysis to persuade environmental skeptics. For the full article from September 8th, visit the Daily Local News website here. Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, and founder of 350.org, recently made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman to talk about his best-selling new book, Eaarth: making a life on a tough new planet. The two discussed his campaign to put solar back on the White House, the upcoming 10/10/10 Global Work Party, and the federal government just declared the warmest 6 months, year, and decade on record. McKibben will be coming to Philadelphia later this month to speak at the Academy of Natural Sciences. This event, co-sponsored by PennFuture, will be at 6pm on September 20th. Click here for full details and to pre-register. While the Phillies showed dedication to Ryan Madson by giving him a contract extension last summer, Madson himself is now showing similar dedication to green living. As Dan Gross from Philly.com reported, Madson and his wife Sarah bought a home in Wayne at the beginning of spring training this year and have hired Caledonia Renovations to make a large amount of green updates to the house before they move in at the end of the year. More>> For the first time in fifty years, the city of Philadelphia will adopt a new Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan, a step that could drastically change the face of development in the city. The Urban Land Institute will be hosting a forum entitled “Game Changer or Road Map? How the New Zoning Code & Comprehensive Plan will Impact Development” to discuss the changes expected throughout the process and how they will change the look and feel of the city for decades to come. More>> Hooray for the Inquirer’s editorial on 8/31/10: “When the region finally cools down from its long, hot summer – this week, again driving demand for electricity sky-high – Gov. Rendell plans one more push to convince key Republican state legislative leaders that it’s time to make greater strides on Pennsylvania’s use of solar energy. More>> Join me at Academy of Natural Sciences for this event, co-sponsored by PennFuture. Bill McKibben, Climate change luminary and founder of 350.org will most likely bring a “sell-out” crowd, although it’s free so RSVP now. http://my.pennfuture.org/site/Calendar?id=106201&view=Detail Also see SBT posting about his appearance on Letterman on Youtube.
From PBJ cover story: Visitors to the Morris Arboretum’s new Horticultural Center will get to see “green” features first hand. “Garages for vehicles are equipped with green roofs, which keep the buildings cooler. Rain water is diverted to cisterns, where it can be reused for watering plants. A bank of photovoltaic cells collect solar energy. More>> From the Phila. Business Journal: The Energy Coordinating Agency opened a green jobs training facility last November and Bucks County Community College followed in April. Additionally the first two groups of trainees are scheduled to graduate next monthe from the Community Colleg of Philadelphia’s program. http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/ The Philadelphia Business Journal and Tri-State Realtors are celebrating 10 years of the Best Real Estate Deals Awards – “Rock Stars of Real Estate”. The deadline to nominate has been extended to Wed. Aug. 4 @ 5pm. Categories this year include: Best Green Project, Best Green Roof, along with many other conventional categories. http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/nomination/5491 From the organizers: You are invited… Friday, July 30, 2010, 11 AM. Please join Rushforth Solar & Lindy Properties for the latest Solar Hot Water System Dedication in South Philly More>> Excerpts from Inquirer article: Starting in August, the Marcellus Shale Coalition will roll out a public outreach campaign. In PA, the most pressing issues include how much to tax natural-gas extraction and how to dispurse the money. A battle is also brewing over legislation that would require holdout landowners to lease drilling rights if a majority of property owners in the area have already done so. More>> From Efficiency First: The full text of the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 introduced today in the Senate is now available online, with the HOME STAR retrofit program described in sections 3001 through 3016. The bill stipulates that $5 billion in Treasury funds should be allocated to the program as of Oct. 1, 2010, including funds for consumer rebates, energy improvement financing and quality assurance. Passage of this important legislation will mark a major step forward for the Home Performance industry, and for tens of thousands of hardworking Americans who have been idled by the ongoing crisis in construction and construction-related manufacturing. Download a PDF of the legislation here. Mongtomery McCracken announced that the firm was recently awarded Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED -CI rating system for energy-efficient and eco-friendly environment renovations done to the Firm’s office at 123 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. More>> With thanks to the Philadelphia Business Journal for this article. Excerpts: About 2 1/2 years ago, Charlie Kamps, president of real estate redevelopment company Transactionable Property Solutions of Penns Park, Bucks County, saw developers were building larger and larger houses. Young people were paying more than $400,000 for their first homes. Wary of the trend, Kamps decided to work on a solution. More>> Nationally the average decrease was 51 square feet whereas in the Northeastern U.S., the change was more dramatic: House size diminished by more than 200 square feet. Philadelphia economist Kevin Gillen, vice president of Econsult Corp., said that buyers are looking for more centrally located and eco-conscious properties. Although energy efficiency – a component of “green” building – has been increasing in importance among new-home buyers, it is not yet a critical part of the decision-making process – especially with credit tighter and price a major concern, market research indicates. More>> EPA’s criteria for WaterSense labeled new homes were recently released, and custom and production builders all over America are signing up. WaterSense labeled new homes help families save an average of 10,000 gallons of water and at least $100 on utility costs each year by including WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, an efficient hot water delivery system, water-efficient landscape design, and other water- and energy-efficient features. More>> Hoping to make high-efficiency windows more affordable and to expand their market, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has created a bulk-purchasing program aimed at homeowners and builders in northern climates. It has arranged with over 30 manufacturers to list windows with insulation values of R-5 or better through a DOE website, www.WindowsVolumePurchase.org. More>> The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently filed a complaint and proposed a $784,380 penalty against Hanson’s Window and Construction Inc. of Madison Heights, Mich., for violations of the 1998 federal rule for failure to warn residents of potential lead-based paint exposures. The citation is based in part on information that two children living in renovated Michigan homes had tested positive for elevated blood lead levels. More>> Several tips and tricks that can help you keep cool and save energy and money this summer include: ceiling fans; shades, drapes or blinds; plants, white coating your roof, and being mindful of heat generating appliances and when/where you use them. Read the full article here. This info with thanks to RIS Media courtesy of Lowe’s. About 20 students, recent graduates and activists dressed in caps and gowns, formed a “commencement march” from City Hall to Sen. Bob Casey Jr.’s office at 20th and Market streets on June 10 to petition for legislation to create green jobs. The event, organized by the Clean Air Council, More>> Gasland is an award-winning documentary by Josh Fox about the consequences of gas drilling and premiered on HBO on June 21, 2010. The film chronicles the strange and disturbing new world wrought by the gas drilling rush—where tap water contaminated by nearby drilling can be lit on fire, animals and children come down with mysterious illnesses, and residents must fight for the truth. Also see screening on 7/10 with director and panelists More>> Pearl Properties, a Philadelphia developer, has come up with plans to construct a 12-story structure atop the existing historic Granary building and transform the property into a mixed-use development with 85 apartments, a restaurant and other uses. The Granary’s concrete façade will remain as is, though the side facing 20th Street will be covered with vegetative material that will soften it while also incorporating some environmentally sustainable features. More>> The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) has announced the launch of its pilot program, and 65% of the pilot projects involve redevelopment of brownfield sites rather than new development on “greenfield” sites. More>> The Energy Star program is overhauling its standards, certification process, and enforcement techniques – and its image – after the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that it was able to get bogus products approved. More>> A national mobile marketing campaign will arrive in Philadelphia on June 24 to help raise awareness about water conservation and to offer practical solutions through water-saving bathroom fixtures. Water shortages are forecast to hit 36 states in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, by 2013. The Responsible Bathroom Water Conservation Tour, sponsored by American Standard®, will show how an average four-person household can save 48,326 gallons of water a year using water-saving bathroom fixtures. More>> The City of Allentown’s Sustainability Office is teaming with the Sustainable Energy Fund, AFC First Financial Corporation/Keystone HELP, PPL Electric Utility’s E-POWER Program, and the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV) to provide considerable help to city residents, commercial property and small business owners, and small not-for-profit organizations. More>> Frustrated about BP Oil Spill & Our Energy Dependence? In the wake of the Big Spill, and PA natural gas well explosion, etc., there is enough outrage that now would be the most opportune time to get support for a Manhattan Project for energy. Check out this interesting column in Sunday’s Inquirer by Michael Smerconish: “Name Elite Corps to Develop Energy Independence” in which he asks Obama to create a Manhattan Project for energy independence. Smerconish writes and “unsolicited speech for Obama” in which he announces he names these folks to launch the effort: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, along with Sergey Brin, cofounder of Google; Steven Levitt, author and economist at the University of Chicago; and T. Boone Pickens, chairman of BP Capital. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq_ed_board/Name_elite_corps_to_develop_energy_independence.html Part of building green is building a safer home environment for homeowners. The Building Industry Association has partnered with The Eastern Regional Radon Training Center to deliver a 4-hour training session June 30th on building radon resistant new construction. More>> A few of my takeaways from the marketing roundtable on Moving Beyond Early Adopters for Home Retrofits. This conference call was organized by the Efficient Cities Network on 6/8/10, with a great lineup of panelists, on this question – how do we market energy efficiency to homeowners to achieve maximum market penetration? See below for link to the ECN and full list of panelists. 1) COMFORT is a big value on all levels - a family feeling better regarding temperature More>> The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is having a forum to explore the future of energy in our country and in our region – with a focus on Greater Philadelphia’s quest to become an “energy hub.” Learn more from an impressive panel of key stakeholders – comprised of traditional providers in the energy sector, cleantech companies, and public policy leaders. They’ll share how companies are using innovation and clean technologies to help manage future energy costs and consumption. More>> At a press conference on May 13, Mayor Nutter signed legislation, sponsored by Councilman Jim Kenney and passed unanimously by City Council, which requires all new commercial and residential construction to include reflective roofs, a feature that will reduce cooling costs and energy usage in the city. Unlike traditional black roofs, reflective cool roofs reflect the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere and release absorbed heat. This keeps buildings cooler and lessens the demand for air conditioning by 10 to 30 percent. On new construction, reflective roofs are comparable in price to traditional roofing materials but average energy savings of 20 percent. A copy of the Cool Roof law is available at http://webapps.phila.gov/council/attachments/9678.pdf More>> Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Office of Sustainability just released its first annual Greenworks Progress Report. Highlights of green changes in Philadelphia during the first year of Greenworks include: Stay tuned to PA House Bill 2405 awaiting a vote this month on the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). PennFuture and other allied groups support this bill which would enhance the market-driven subsidies for solar without further tax payer funds, as has been done successfully in New Jersey. Read a short 6-pager on the history of the PA AEPS (similar to “Renewable Portfolio Standard” in other states) by Maureen Mulligan More>> With thanks to PennFuture for compiling this list of funding sources for Solar, Wind, and other clean energy projects: http://www.pennfuture.org/content.aspx?MenuID=1&SectionID=177 The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recently approved Travelers Insurance’s discounts on “green” homeowners’ products. The policy discount is based on having the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, building certification. The Travelers green building discount provides incentives for greater energy efficiency and air quality. Since a LEED certification requires an extensive review of all building systems to ensure efficient operation, the decision to upgrade a building often reflects greater concern with issues that affect loss control. Specifically, the Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company and TravCo Insurance Company will now offer: More>> Polley Associates has several upcoming courses scheduled for the NAR Green Designation for Realtors, to meet deadlines for real estate agents and brokers state required coursework. Polley is teaching the 2-day Core Course and 1-day Residential Elective. Go for it! ”Consumers have sustainable living on their minds. Cater to them.” More>> Federal Judge Awards Homeowners 2.6 Million in Critical Chinese Drywall Case For the second time in less than a month, a federal judge in Louisiana has found a Chinese drywall manufacturer liable for extensive damages associated with its installation in American homes, setting a strong precedent for thousands of similar suits pending in federal courts. More>> From Efficiency First: By a vote of 246 to 161 the House of Representatives today voted to approve the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5019), which authorizes creation of a national energy retrofit program for American homeowners. The vote marks a significant milestone in the progress of the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation, although it’s important to note that the authorization bill passed today must be matched by the Senate, and followed up with an appropriation bill to allocate funds for the $6 billion program. More>> Greenworks is Mayor Nutter’s framework for his ambitious goal to make Philadelphia “The Greenest City in America”. Rebates are available for up to $10K for energy efficiency including solar for Philadelphia small businesses. Only $400,000 in funding available on a 1st come 1st served basis. More>> Disclosure required by law: When working as a Realtor in Philadelphia or surrounding suburbs, I represent my clients through my employing broker. Sherry Riesner, Keller Williams Real Estate, Blue Bell, PA. Tel. 215.646.2900 x5435. Licensed Real Estate Agent in the state of Pennsylvania; PA License #RS294141. Each office is independently owned and operated. |
 
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