The U.S. Green Building Council – North Texas Chapter seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, experienced green building expert to develop and manage the Chapter’s multi-faceted green building educational and resources programs. This is an exciting opportunity to become a key staff member of this rapidly growing non-profit membership organization. The Program Director will work closely with various Committees, the Board, the Executive Director and the Communications Coordinator to meet the educational and programmatic needs of the green building industry in Northern Texas. The position reports to the Executive Director. » Read more: USGBC North Texas Chapter Seeks Program Director
Archive for the ‘Industry News: Outside Sources’ category
USGBC North Texas Chapter Seeks Program Director
August 27th, 2010Senate Democrats Abandon Comprehensive Climate Bill
July 22nd, 2010
By Perry Bacon Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 22, 2010; 2:07 PM
Conceding they can’t find enough votes for the measure, Senate Democrats will announce Thursday they are abandoning for now efforts to put together a comprehensive energy bill that would seek to limit greenhouse gas emissions, ending the immediate prospect for a key legislative priority of President Obama and congressional Democrats.
See full text of this article on the Washington Post’s website.
Volume Builder MHI Registers 1000th Green Built Texas Home
June 28th, 2010
Dallas, TX (June 22, 2010)… McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. (MHI) has registered its 1,000th Green Built Texas home for its three brands Plantation, Coventry Homes, and Carmel Builders. MHI was the first volume builder to adopt the Green Built North Texas Program and named its green building program “Eco Smart”.
“We are very proud of this significant milestone, says Rudy Pospisil, MHI Division President. “We embarked on our Eco Smart program as an early adopter to the Green Built Texas program and have seen the program’s emergence in the industry as a building standard,” added Pospisil.
Phil Crone, Director of Government Affairs and Green Building Programs, for Green Built Texas, added, “I commend MHI for your leadership and your longstanding commitment to the program.” » Read more: Volume Builder MHI Registers 1000th Green Built Texas Home
EPA Delays Lead Paint Certification Requirements
June 21st, 2010
The EPA has agreed to extend the deadline for its new lead paint certification. Contractors must now enroll in training by Sept. 30, 2010 and complete training by Dec. 31, 2010. This decision was prompted by a lagging supply of certified trainers to educate contractors across the nation and the detrimental effect it would have on rebuilding efforts in flood-ravaged Tennessee.
House Passes Extension of Federal Energy Efficient Homes Credit
June 17th, 2010by RESBlog on June 15, 2010
The $2,000 federal tax credit for builders that build energy efficient homes is providing an important boost to mainstreaming high energy performance homes in the market place. In 2009, 37,506 homes were certified as complying with the federal tax credit. This represented 10% of all new homes sold in the U.S. last year. Unfortunately, the credit expired on December 31, 2009. RESNET has joined a coalition of housing industry and energy efficiency advocacy groups (including the National Association of Home Builders and the Natural Resources Defense Council) advocating the extension of the credit. » Read more: House Passes Extension of Federal Energy Efficient Homes Credit
EnergyValue Housing Awards Deadline Fast Approaching
June 15th, 2010NAHB Nations Building News
June 14, 2010
Applications are due June 30 for the 2011 EnergyValue Housing Awards, given each year by the NAHB Research Center, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and NAHB.
EVHA recognizes builders who successfully integrate energy efficiency into all aspects of home building, as exemplified by a specific project. In this year’s competition, remodeled homes will for the first time be eligible for EVHA recognition. » Read more: EnergyValue Housing Awards Deadline Fast Approaching
Home Builders Support Update to Texas Building Performance Standards
June 7th, 2010Texas builders and HBAs support move to more stringent 2009 energy code.
TITLE 34.PUBLIC FINANCE
Part 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
Chapter 19. STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE
Subchapter E. TEXAS BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
34 TAC §19.53
The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts new §19.53, concerning building energy efficiency performance standards, with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 26, 2010, issue of the Texas Register (35 TexReg 2514). The new section is created in compliance with Health and Safety Code, §388.003(b-1), which authorizes the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to adopt equivalent or more stringent energy codes than those adopted in Health and Safety Code, §388.003(a) and (b). » Read more: Home Builders Support Update to Texas Building Performance Standards
Green Homes Said to Sell Faster, But Appraisals Remain a Sticking Point
June 1st, 2010National Association of Home Builders
Nation’s Building News Online, May 31
This affordably priced green duplex is in the NAHB National Green Building Award-winning community of Rosewood Hills in Columbia, S.C.,
While official statistics may be lacking, many builders attending the NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C., on May 16-18 said that they have been able to sell sustainably built homes considerably faster than the traditionally built new homes that have been languishing in today’s tough market.
Green builders, however, have little immunity from the tight financial conditions that have been plaguing the housing market and imposing difficulties for both home buyers and sellers. And the widespread problem of low appraisals — driven largely by a glut of foreclosed properties and a slow market — has been doubly frustrating for green builders because the vast majority of appraisers are unable to recognize the value that green features add to the home. » Read more: Green Homes Said to Sell Faster, But Appraisals Remain a Sticking Point
“Cash for Caulkers” Bill Passes House
May 6th, 2010$6 Billion Bill Mandates Rebates for Renovating Homes to Save Energy; Still Needs Senate Approval
From CBS News.com
(AP) Homeowners could collect thousands of dollars in Cash for Caulkers rebates for renovating their homes with better insulation and energy-saving windows and doors under a new economic stimulus bill the House passed Thursday.
The Home Star bill, passed 246-161, would authorize $5.7 billion over two years for a program that supporters – mostly Democrats – said would have the added benefits of invigorating the slumping construction industry and making the earth a little cleaner. » Read more: “Cash for Caulkers” Bill Passes House
Green homes face a red light
April 28th, 2010NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Lots of people, especially those trying to battle high utility bills, believe in energy-efficient homebuilding.
But there’s something holding green technology back: It simply costs more to include it than it adds to resale value
Appraisals for newly built green homes do not fully reflect the cost of green technology, and the lower appraisal values mean buyers often cannot get the full financing they need from banks.
That discourages developers from using green technology, in turn diminishing the market for more green products.
(read more) (directs to external link)
