Through a new memorandum of understanding, the Atlanta-based American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. and Portland, Ore.-based Green Building Initiative will work together to accelerate the adoption of sustainability principles in the built environment. The agreement calls for the groups to promote the design, construction and operation of buildings that are energy-efficient, healthy and environmentally responsible by providing education and training; continuing to provide access to the online Green Globes tool, GBI’s green-building rating system; promote the link between sustainable design and actual performance outcomes; encourage and/or undertake research that identifies specific economic and environmental benefits of green-building practices; and support and promote green-building standards, certification programs and rating systems. For more information, visit www.thegbi.org.

UPDATE to March “deep green,” page 50: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act states geothermal systems placed in residential service in 2009 are eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent of cost with no maximum; commercial systems placed in service in 2009 or 2010 can receive grants in lieu of tax credits.