Green Home

Washington, DC - November 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) opened up the proposed update to the LEED green building rating system for its first public comment. The public comment period, which will close on December 31, 2010, is the next step in the continuous improvement process and the on-going development cycle of the LEED program.

New Orleans, LA - November 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In today’s economy, consumers are looking for cost savings, and toward this end, Realtors® are helping home buyers recognize the value of green properties for both themselves and their communities. Author and home-building coach Sara Lamia explained why going green is worth the green at the “Green Labels Sell Homes” forum today at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo

Washington, DC - November 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) applauded the approval of the Genesis Solar Project by the U.S. Department of Interior, which will be located 25 miles west of Blythe. The Congresswoman has been a leader in Congress on the issues of solar, alternative and renewable energy production, and has worked tirelessly to support the increased use of these technologies throughout the 45th Congressional District. According to Bono Mack, the Genesis Solar Project will produce 250 megawatts of energy, enough to power 75,000 to 187,000 homes with clean energy.

November 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- TIAA-CREF and Good Energies, a global clean energy/clean tech investment firm, today announced a partnership between the firms to make venture capital investments together in the areas of energy efficiency and green building technology. The first of these investments is a $4.5 million private equity investment by TIAA-CREF in Ice Energy, which produces cost efficient, energy saving cooling systems

November 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Army issued two new policy memorandums on October 27, one to improve its high-performance green buildings standards and another to require light bulbs such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that are more efficient than standard bulbs. Both measures are designed to increase energy security, energy efficiency, and sustainability for the Army. The first memo, "Memorandum for Sustainable Design and Development Policy Update," changes the way the Army will approach efficient design of its facilities for more responsible planning and consumption. Preliminary analysis by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicates energy savings over current design of 45% or greater

Durham, NC - November 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Green Home Builders of the Triangle (GHBT), which was established in 2006 to promote building homes that consume less energy and other resources, facilitate better indoor air quality, and require less maintenance, recently adopted a national home certification program based on the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard. By transitioning from its locally-based certification program to the National Green Building Certification Program, a third-party program powered by the NAHB Research Center, GHBT will be bolstering the value of its offerings to members and the credibility of its green home certifications to homebuyers

Washington, D.C. - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Local and state building code officials last week approved a package of revisions to the commercial section of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that represent the largest single-step efficiency increase in the history of the national, model energy code. The changes mean that new and renovated buildings constructed in jurisdictions that follow the 2012 IECC will use 30 percent less energy than those built to current standards.

Anaheim, CA - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jamboree Housing Corporation, a leading developer of affordable housing in California, announced today the grand opening of Greenleaf Family Apartments in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, November 8, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Program participants include Mayor Curt Pringle and City Councilmembers, Jamboree executives, partnership representatives and the Anaheim After-School Players, a group of students from Jamboree’s two other Anaheim properties, who will give a special welcome to their newest neighbors. Interview and photo opportunities are available

ST. PAUL, MN - October 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES) today announced the state will soon receive its first installment of federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP).In its first release of funds for the 2011 program year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which funds LIHEAP, has allocated $64.8 million to Minnesota. Additional funds will be disbursed to the state throughout the program year.

CHICAGO, LONDON, SINGAPORE - October 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new report from Jones Lang LaSalle announces that CEO Colin Dyer has joined 1,000 other business leaders in signing the Cancun Communiqué on Climate Change, which sets out the case for action on climate change with renewed urgency.

NEW YORK, NY - October 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bracha Group, a luxury real estate group of Prudential Elliman in New York City, sold a three-bedroom, three and half bath condominium at 15 Central Park West, one of Manhattan’s newest premier parkside dwellings last Thursday, October 7, 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A live performance featuring a Broadway star at Allegro in the District of Columbia, dramatic interior merchandising at Icon in the Gulch in Tennessee, a gallery-style leasing center at 70 Greene in New Jersey and a website with floor-by-floor virtual tour capabilities from Park Place in D.C. are among the 2010 NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards marketing winners.The Pillars of the Industry Awards program, launched by the National Association of Home Builders in 1991, highlights superior achievement in apartment and condominium development, design, marketing and management, and is recognized as the industry's most prestigious honor.

New York, NY - October 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE: SLG), New York City's largest owner of commercial office properties, owning more than 20 million square feet of office space in Manhattan, and The Moinian Group, headed by developer Joseph Moinian, today announced they have reached an agreement to recapitalize Three Columbus Circle - a midtown Manhattan office tower currently in the final stages of a major redevelopment. The recapitalization includes a standby mortgage commitment and a potential future investment by SL Green that will make funds available for the completion of the redevelopment and lease-up of the property

October 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Statistics show that Americans spend 90 percent of our time in buildings, which is why we’re seeing a surge in the growth of green buildings, especially schools. U.S. school systems have 55 million students and 5 million faculty members. That’s 20 percent of the population spending 6 hours or more each day in a school building.

WICHITA, KS - October 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In celebration of National Weatherization Day, the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) will host two free weatherization workshops to help Kansas homeowners learn cost-effective ways to curb energy use. Sponsored by SCKEDD, Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores, Westar Energy and Comfort Products, the clinics will offer tips on taking a whole-home approach to energy efficiency, how to adapt lifestyles to reduce utility costs and how to distinguish “do-it yourself” projects from those that may require professional services.

WILMINGTON, DE - October 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The SEU’s Energize Delaware officially launched an online Home Energy Makeover Facebook contest today, which will award a free home energy audit (worth $400) and up to $5,000 in home energy efficiency improvements. One winner from each Delaware County (Sussex, Kent and New Castle) will take home this opportunity… just in time for winter. Winners will enjoy lower energy bills and a more comfortable, healthier home for years to come.

Scottsdale, AZ - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Arizona green building innovator Cullum Homes today announced the launch of new home sales for Village at Paradise Reserve - a unique luxury home community of new homes selling at $1.5-$2.5 million that incorporates some of the most cutting edge sustainability, energy conservation and environmental stewardship innovations seen in the nation

Washington, DC - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) today announced that the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation and Economic Development Corporation, has been awarded $800,000 under the HUD Community Challenge Planning Grant Program. Funds will be used to plan for the expansion of the corridor around Prince George’s County’s four southern Metro Green Line stations. The goal is to attract new federal and spin-off office tenants and mixed-income housing, facilitated by an efficient and effective multimodal transportation system.

FRANKFORT, KY - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Steve Beshear today announced the launch of KY Home Performance, a comprehensive energy efficiency program that will help homeowners across the Commonwealth save money and energy while creating jobs.“KY Home Performance not only provides homeowners access to tools to reduce their homes’ energy use, it is adding new opportunities to the growing green jobs sector,” said Gov. Beshear. “Helping families find ways to save money and protect our environment while expanding job opportunities in the green energy sector make today’s announcement especially exciting. I strongly encourage homeowners to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make changes in their homes that will have a lasting impact.”

Atlanta, GA - October 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is pleased to announce that its founder, Dr. Marilyn Black—a world-renowned environmental health and indoor air quality expert—is a featured speaker at the first Green Schools National Conference Oct. 24-26 in Minneapolis, MN.

October 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A partnership between the City of Lincoln and Black Hills Energy, provider of natural gas service in the City of Lincoln, has resulted in the creation of a position in the City's Development Services Center (DSC) to promote the use of green building practices in development projects. The position is funded through the City's Cleaner Greener Lincoln initiative, which received $2.4 million in federal energy stimulus funds to improve energy efficiency and boost the use of renewable and clean energy technologies across the community

Congresswoman’s 40th Solar Power 101 event will be held Tuesday in Green Valley. TUCSON, AZ - October 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today announced that the 40th of her popular Solar Power 101 events will be held Tuesday in Green Valley, with future events held in Marana, Sierra Vista and Tucson.

ANCHORAGE, AK - October 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently announced that AHFC's Home Energy Rebate Program is one of the exceptional state-led energy-efficiency programs in the United States. ACEEE recognized a total of just 18 top programs from 14 states. AHFC's Home Energy Rebate Program received one of 10 honorable mentions awarded

October 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Loudoun County will host a seminar on home energy retro-fit grants for low- and moderate- income homeowners and additional improvements available through the Loudoun County Home Improvement Program. The seminar will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2010, at the Sugarland Run Community Center, 200 Greenfield Court in Sterling.

DALLAS, TX - October 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Dallas office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that Chase Tower has received Gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system for Existing Buildings

Herndon, VA - October 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) has joined with other leading environmental groups to support the GOVgreen Conference and Exposition -- the first all government, all green event designed to connect federal government and military professionals with green resources and solutions.

New York, NY - October 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The renowned Greenhouse Spa in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, a favorite exclusive retreat for nearly every first lady from Nancy Reagan to Lady Bird Johnson, as well as such celebrity names as Grace Kelly, Cindy Crawford, Brooke Shields, Paloma Picasso and Estée Lauder, among others, will be sold at auction on Wednesday, November 19th announced Douglas Johnson, managing director, of CBRE Auction Services.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an historic step forward in the nation’s clean energy future, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today approved the first large-scale solar energy plants ever to be built on public lands. The two projects, both located in California, are the first in a series of renewable energy projects on public lands under final review by the Department of the Interior that would provide thousands of U.S. jobs and advance U.S. clean energy technologies

Washington, DC - October 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has added Green Plumbers USA credentialed professionals to its GreenHomeGuide.com directory of green residential professionals. The collaboration helps the GreenHomeGuide,com provide consumers the most comprehensive collection of green residential resources, information and services available on the market.

Washington, D.C. - October 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announces its newest initiative, The Center for Green Schools at USGBC. There are nearly 140,000 schools, colleges and universities in the United States; no one has ever counted the buildings, but thousands are barely built to code. The Center for Green Schools is how USGBC is working toward the ambitious goal of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation