A Nod to Demand Response from the White House

Feature image: 

Two years ago, USGBC had the crazy idea of bringing together both sides of the grid – utilities and technology solution providers AND owners and managers of LEED registered and certified buildings – with the end goal of increasing participation in Demand Response and Smart Grid programs.

And now there’s one more voice to add to the conversation: that of the Federal Government.

read more

The Silliest Sequester: Pumping the Brakes on Green Building Programs that Save Taxpayer Dollars

Feature image: 
Photo credit: iStockphoto

I’m not an economist, but if I am trying to save money, I don’t stop depositing money into my savings account.

I’m not a CEO, but if I had a division of a business that was turning a profit with every dollar invested, I would probably look at ways to increase investment, not reduce it.

But the coming sequester will make arbitrary across-the-board cuts in government program budgets, including extremely successful programs that pay for themselves in energy efficiency and green building. That’s not a very effective way to reduce government spending.

read more

Transforming Minds and Markets under the Capitol Dome

Feature image: 
Looking up at the capitol dome in Des Moines, Iowa.

Slideshow images: 

If you thought we had a lot to celebrate in 2012, just brace yourself for 2013. Green building advocates have already mobilized for policy action in South Carolina, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Arkansas, Iowa and Colorado. I was fortunate enough to join the USGBC chapter-led advocacy efforts in Des Moines and Denver last week, and I think we’re on the verge of something big.

read more

Civil Society Calls for Greater Engagement in the UNEP Process

Feature image: 
UNEP Rio +20 Conference

“From Outcome to Implementation” – That was the theme of the first universal session of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF), which convened on Monday . The agenda for the meeting, open to all 193 UN member states for the first time, sought to create a framework for the implementation of the Rio+20 “The Future We Want” outcome document.

read more

Uncategorized

D.C. Mayor Unveils Landmark Sustainability Plan, Creates Model for Other Cities to Follow

Feature image: 

Slideshow images: 

“I remain fully committed to the goal I first stated in July of 2011, that we will make the District of Columbia the healthiest, greenest city in the nation…this is my promise to everyone.” – Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, February 20, 2013

read more

Taking a close look at the federal government’s spending on real estate

Feature image: 
Photo credit: SGA

The following is a guest post by Alex Dodds, Online Communications Manager at Smart Growth America.

The biggest real estate investor in the United States isn’t Donald Trump, and it’s not a private equity firm.

read more