The economy may slow cap-and-trade in California, Arizona and the Nation.  Citing the recession, Arizona backed out of a cap-and-trade plan with other states and parts of Canada.  Meanwhile, the California Jobs Initiative has raised $1 million and is gathering signatures for a November ballot initiative to delay the 2012 start of California's cap-and-trade law until the state unemployment rate dip below 5.5%.  In 2008, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) predicted that cap-and-trade would produce 100,000 jobs but in March 2010, CARB lowered its prediction to 10,000 new jobs.  A group of California small businesses believe the law could raise the average California household's annual housing, transportation, energy and food costs by $3,900.  Finally, the White House may back away from its national cap-and-trade proposal.  The EPA plans to regulate emissions without Congressional action, but delayed any action until after January, 2011.

This report examines energy saving practices of leading companies and offers a 12-step program to help any organization conserve energy, reduce emissions and save money.

The General Accounting Office created four fake companies and submitted 20 fictitious products for approval under the Energy Star program.  Energy Star approved 15 of the bogus products.  As a consequence of this test, the EPA, announced new programs for third-party testing before approving products.

The USC / AGC Construction Management Symposium will examine green and sustainable construction practices.  Set for April 20, 2010 at USC, the event will present a wide range of topics on sustainable construction and green business practices.

By 2009, all fifteen cities in Santa Clara County are had adopted the following resolutions: (1) use LEED or Build It Green standards, (2) require submittal of a green checklist for all projects, and (3) require LEED Silver for all public buildings over 5,000 sq. ft.

The Canada Green Building Council recently released the final rating systems for LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations 2009 and LEED Canada for Core and Shell Development 2009.  For a copy of the rating system, click here.

While sustainability is the norm for big business, it is lagging for America's small business sector.  The Green Seal standards help small businesses develop green leadership and effect market transformation.

Several USGBC leaders traveled to China for events highlighting China's growing green building sector.  The USGBC continues to assist in the worldwide growth of green building.
Related: USGBC and China GBC signed MOU (USGBC)

The Green Building Opportunity Index provides weighted comparisons of the top 25 U.S. office markets based on the following real estate fundamentals and green development considerations:  (1) Office Market Conditions: (2) Investment Outloo: (3) Green Adoption & Implementation: (4) Local Mandates & Incentives: (5) State Energy Initiatives and: (6) Green Culture.

Green insurance focuses on commercial buildings.  However, green insurance may soon expand to homes and farm buildings.  According to the Insurance Journal, 22 companies now offer 39 specific policies, endorsements, coverage extensions or services for green buildings or equipment.

LEED projects represent a golden opportunity for the mechanical engineering industry.  In the case of the LEED-NC Canada, half of the LEED points are directly related to mechanical systems or mechanical construction.

Should states influence cities to impose green building codes?  Panelists at the Environmental Law and Policy Review recommend that cities adopt new green building codes.

Hines announced that 560 Mission Street in San Francisco earned LEED-EBOM.  Green features include (1) extensive retro-commissioning program, (2) 36% reduction in overall indoor water use; (3) 75% monthly landfill diversion through recycling, composting and durable goods disposal, (4) highly efficient low-mercury lamps, (5) enhanced indoor air quality systems, (6) green cleaning program, (7) drought tolerant and low maintenance landscaping and (8) Hines' GREEN OFFICE program for tenant spaces.

Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison, Wisconsin earned LEED Platinum.  Green elements include outstanding indoor quality, water saving, 99% recycling of the old building's materials, geothermal and solar power.

The Los Vecinos housing complex reduced power usage so much that solar panels on the roof and nearby carports provide more than 90% of its energy.  The project also features white roofs to reflect heat, tankless water heaters, EnergyStar appliances and materials that last longer.  The project earned a San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) award from the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

Whirlpool Corp's regional distribution centers (RDCs) in McDonough, Ga. and Spanaway, Wash., earned LEED Gold.  RDCs in Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, Colo., earned LEED Certification.  Whirlpool's 1.6 million square foot Atlanta and Columbus facilities are among the 10 largest LEED certified warehouses in the U.S.

CB Richard Ellis/New England said that 33 Arch Street, a 33-story office tower in Boston's Financial District, earned LEED-EB Gold.

Hines' POSTQUARTIER project in Germany earned LEED Core & Shell Gold.  POSTQUARTIER will be the first LEED certified redevelopment project in Germany.  This 285,243-square-foot, 11-story office building, features low-VOC materials; certified woods; regionally manufactured materials; water-efficient fixtures; new mechanical systems; and a green roof.