Climate Summit: No Formal Consensus
When two weeks of climate negotiations wound to a finish in Copenhagen, the goal of a new binding treaty to combat global warming still looked elusively far away. (The Los Angeles Times)
Obama Promotes Energy-Efficiency Spending
Insisting insulation is “sexy,” President Barack Obama called for new federal incentives to make millions of homes more energy efficient as a way to create jobs, save money for homeowners, and reduce pollution. (The Associated Press)
New EPA Rules Aim to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites
Regulations will require a range of best practices for controlling soil and sediment and reducing erosion. (Custom Home)
New York City Nixes Green Buildings Plan
After intense opposition from building owners, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has dropped the most far-reaching initiative of his plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (The New York Times)
Santa Monica Officials Considering New Rules
City leaders are proposing new green building requirements that could make the city one of the strictest places in the nation to build single-family homes. (The Santa Monica Daily Press)
Yonkers, N.Y., Mayor Vetoes Sustainable Development Law
Citing several serious technical problems with proposed sustainable development legislation, Phil Amicone announced that he will veto that law and propose a new one early next year. (Westchester.com)
D.C.’s Green Building Act Could Change
The Washington, D.C., Council is being asked to amend several aspects of the act, including replacing the phrase “performance bond” with the word “bond.” (The Washington Business Journal)
Marin County, Calif., Passes Tougher Water Conservation Rules
The new water conservation ordinance sets new standards for both indoor and outdoor water use in all new construction for residential and commercial property. (The Marin Independent Journal)
San Diego County Approves Solar Program
County supervisors approved a program that allows property owners to repay solar system installation costs over 20 years through annual property-tax assessments. (The North County Times)
Illinois Law Will Require New Homes to Be More Energy Efficient
A new state law will increase the cost of building a new home but the requirements are designed to make the home more energy efficient. (The Pantagraph)
Daly City, Calif., OKs Green Building Ordinance
The ordinance will require developers of new residential structures to show that their projects have eco-friendly measures before they’ll be granted a construction permit. (The Oakland Tribune)
