In response to provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched its Zero Net Energy Commercial Building Initiative in August 2008.

In 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, the U.S. produced 72 million tons of coal flyash, a waste material left over after coal is burned to generate electricity. While most of that flyash was put in landfills, about 15 million tons went into concrete, often as a substitute for the more carbon-intensive portland cement.... Read more

Aspen, Colorado, already has a strong residential program for promoting energy conservation and renewable energy. The Renewable Energy Mitigation Program, or REMP, requires builders of large homes (those over 5,000 ft2, or 500 m2) or those with snowmelt systems, spas, or heated pools, to install renewable energy systems or pay a mitigation fee... Read more

The certification applies to the first phase of the development, which includes a total of 93 residential units and... Read more

San Francisco is the first city to require larger commercial buildings (those over 25,000... Read more

In 2006, a Rhode Island jury held paint companies Sherwin-Williams, Millennium Holdings, and NL Industries liable for the adverse consequences of lead paint sold more than 30 years ago, before the 1978 ban on lead paint (see

EBN

Vol. 15, No. 4).

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to consider drafting new standards for several appliances (see

EBN

Vol. 17, No. 2).

The response from EPA's Alex Baker, which was not available when this article was first published, has been added.

Anticipating opportunities for its members in the growing green building sector, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) recently convened an Energy Solutions Summit with 30 of its members experienced in green building.

When one side of a wall, roof, or foundation assembly is colder than the other, moisture in the air can condense on a cold surface inside the assembly, potentially causing mold problems and structural decay. Moisture from air can get into a wall cavity through air leaks or, in smaller quantities, by diffusing through a permeable material such... Read more

After more than two years of work, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has proposed a major change for certified wood in its LEED Rating System. Previously, LEED awarded credit to projects that used wood certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for at least half of their wood-based materials. Now, USGBC has... Read more

In recent columns, we've looked at cellulose insulation as well as fiberglass and other batt insulation The other option for filling wall and ceiling cavities is foam insulation that is sprayed into the cavity. There are several such materials that are used for this application, all installed by... Read more