IRS issues new guidance for green energy tax credits 

Published: May 7, 2013
Tags: green building, IRS, renewable energy, wind turbines

The Internal Revenue Service has issued new guidelines for determining when construction has begun on a renewable energy facility in order for a taxpayer to become eligible for certain tax credits created under last year’s American Taxpayer Relief Act.

GSA eyes green building change 

Published: June 11, 2012
Tags: GBI, green building, Green Building Initiative, Green Globes, GSA, Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, Joni Teter, LEED, Living Building Challenge, Living Future Institute, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC

The General Services Administration, the “landlord” of the federal government, soon might uproot its longtime standard for green building in favor of a fresh face.

Green Building Section

Published: January 31, 2011
Tags: green building

Stopped Short Optimism fueled the prediction green construction would create 13,000 Wisconsin jobs by 2012. The reality of a national recession stalled that growth before it really got started. Full Story >> LEED’s push for accountability This year likely will be the year of accountability for the U.S. Green Building Council. Full Story >> Who’s [...]

5 things you should know about Michael Arny 

Published: January 31, 2011
Tags: green, green building, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, Leonardo Academy, Michael Arny, U.S. Green Building Council, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USGBC

“For most organizations, buildings are their biggest asset, so why wouldn’t you want to know if it’s certified or not?”

Stopped short: Disappointing green jobs market hinders outreach to women 

Published: January 31, 2011
Tags: Battisti, biogas digester, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Emily Kuntz, green, green building, green jobs, John Dipko, Miron Construction, Pat Daniels, Pieper Electric, Rhandi Berth, Sarah White, steamfitter, Steamfitters Training School, Theresa Lehman, Wisconsin Apprenticeship Program, Wisconsin Industry Partnerships, WRTP/Big Step

Optimism fueled the prediction green construction would create 13,000 Wisconsin jobs by 2012. The reality of a national recession stalled that growth before it really got started.

LEED’s push for accountability 

Published: January 31, 2011
Tags: Andrew Pace, Berners-Schober Associates, Eagle River, green, green building, Ian Griffiths, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, Northland Pines High School, Scot Horst, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC

This year likely will be the year of accountability for the U.S. Green Building Council.

Feds look to limit green-building costs

Published: June 1, 2010
Tags: Department of Energy, Dirk Mason, green building, Gupta, Leonardo Academy, Milwaukee Department of Public Works, renovation, Richard Walker, TransWestern

By Sean Ryan The federal government may lose money-saving opportunities by capping the expenses for green-building features in renovation projects, Wisconsin consultants warn. The U.S. Department of Energy is accepting public comments until July 27 on proposed green-building requirements for renovations to federal buildings, such as post offices and courthouses. The rules would apply to [...]

Communities dangle density carrot to promote green building (UPDATE)

Published: May 25, 2010
Tags: building permits, density, green building, Healthy Homes, Metropolitan Builders Association, plan-review fees, Tim O’Brien Homes Inc., Waukesha, Waukesha Plan Commission, zoning
Comments: 1

Homebuilders for years have pushed municipal governments to allow higher-density projects. Now contractors in Waukesha may get their way — but there’s a catch. City of Waukesha officials are considering guidelines that would offer incentives, including higher-density projects, to buildings that use green-building practices. “It’s a start,” said Tim O’Brien, president of Tim O’Brien Homes [...]

Doyle vetoes bill to promote green buildings (UPDATE)

Published: May 19, 2010
Tags: bill, Doyle, energy, green, green building, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, Legislature, Molepske, renovation, U.S. Green Building Council, veto
Comments: 2

Darryl Enriquez and Sean Ryan A bill that would have applied green building standards to public projects died Wednesday when Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed the proposal. State Rep. Louis Molepske Jr., D-Stevens Point, chided members of Doyle’s administration for not raising concerns about the bill while the Legislature was in session this year. Molepske was [...]

Green building bill splits industry

By Paul Snyder Builders, local officials and school board members are at odds over the value of a bill that would mandate green construction on public projects. But that mixed reaction is not affecting state Rep. Louis Molepske Jr., D-Stevens Point, who said Thursday he wants to get his bill to the governor’s desk before [...]