Pennsylvania State University is formally investigating Dr. Michael Mann, a prominent climate change scientist.  A preliminary investigation cleared Dr. Mann of allegedly conspiring with other scientists to suppress data contrary to global warming theories.  The allegations arose after a hacker stole hundreds of emails from the University of East Anglia.  Dr. Mann stated that Penn State's first review, which centered on the hacked emails, cleared him of misconduct.  Dr. Mann fully supports the new inquiry into his scientific methods as "the best way to remove any lingering doubts."  East Anglia University determined that scientists there failed to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests to share their climate data resulting in the resignation of Dr. Phil Jones.  Further, the U.N.'s climate-change group admitted there was no scientific basis for predictions that warming would melt Himalayan glaciers.  The U.N. group promises more rigorous scrutiny of research.

President Obama's State of the Union address highlighted renewables as a key to the U.S. economic recovery:  "We can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow. . . . There's no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains, or the new factories that manufacture clean energy products . . . Washington has been telling us to wait . . . China is not waiting to revamp its economy.  Germany is not waiting.  India is not waiting. These nations are making serious investments in clean energy because they want those jobs.  And yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America."

Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the USGBC, advocates for a green economic recovery and notes that "Buildings . . .are energy and water hogs. . . . Virtually every [building] literally flushes our potable water down the drain.  Energy expenses alone in U.S. commercial buildings total more than $100 billion a year."  A green and sustainable building strategy not only helps the economic recovery, it make economic sense for building owners and tenants.

California is urging the EPA to slow down implementation of rules on greenhouse gas emissions, believing they could hurt the state's plans to transition to more renewable energy sources.  The EPA rules could take effect this spring and require sources emitting more than 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year to obtain operating permits.  The California Energy Commission supports the rules, but urged the EPA to phase them in slowly.

Zachary Pannier of DPR Construction was appointed president of the USGBC San Diego Chapter.  Pannier will oversee the nonprofit organization and serve as the chapter's spokesperson.

The Green Building Initiative (GBI) certified its 100th building in the U.S. through the Green Globes system. After achieving a threshold of at least 35% of the total number of 1,000 points, new and existing commercial buildings can be certified for their environmental achievements and sustainability by pursuing Green Globes certification that assigns a rating of one to four globes.

The EPA is accepting applications for the EnergyStar National Building Competition.  The program is limited to commercial buildings, and contest participants will try to reduce their energy efficiency as much as possible between the start of the contest and Aug. 31, 2010.  The building that reduces its energy use the most will be named contest winner. 

SEES, Inc. recently launched a Directory for green products and services worldwide.  The Directory is a free service to consumers and businesses to find green contractors, products and services.

Green and sustainable objectives often mean savings.  For example, sustainable lighting saves money.  According to the DOE, lighting consumes as much as 30% of all electric expenses in commercial buildings nationwide, costing $37 billion.

Jefferson Square earned LEED for Core and Shell Gold.  According to developer Regency Centers, the project is expected to reduce its energy use by 35% compared to conventional buildings.

Salt Lake City, in 2002, and Torino, in 2006, claimed that their Olympics were carbon neutral.  Beijing was temporarily able to clean up its terrible air in 2008.  Tokyo used its bid for the 2016 Summer Games to offer a green Games that utilized solar power, pollution controls and a minimal amount of new construction.  Some environmentalists laud Vancouver's efforts while others claim that they are merely "green washing".

The USGBC of Maryland honored the Baltimore's Green Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot with a Special Accomplishment Award.  The Baltimore hotel was the first LEED certified hotel in Maryland and features solar tracking skylights, courtyard turf made from recycled tires, the biodegradable cups and recycled koozies.

MNN published a photo tour of the seven greenest sports complexes in the world, including the Richmond Olympic Oval which will be used during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.