• Many consumers still think cars and trucks create the most pollution. Shelton Group’s Energy Pulse survey revealed that one-third of respondents erroneously named cars and trucks as the number one cause of global warming, while only 4% cite the actual primary culprit of greenhouse gas emissions: coal-fired power plants.
• Calatrava, Perkins+Will file liens against Chicago Spire developer. Architect Santiago Calatrava and design firm Perkins+Will have filed liens against developer Shelbourne Development Group seeking millions of dollars in payment for their work on the Chicago Spire, planned to be the tallest building in the U.S. The actions may suggest the project’s financing and feasibility are shaky.
• ASHRAE pulls the plug on green building standard committee.ASHRAE has disbanded the committee that has been working for two years on a proposed new code-enforceable standard for green buildings, Standard 189.1p. The move came as a surprise to ASHRAE’s partners on the committee, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. ASHRAE represents heating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning engineers.
• BICSI, USGBC working on new LEED technology credits. The Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) is working with the USGBC to develop strategies that would recognize innovation credits related to technology infrastructure in the LEED green building certification system.
• San Jose adopts mandatory green building standards. Last month, the San Jose City Council voted to adopt mandatory green building standards for all new construction. Buildings under 25,000 sf will have to meet basic standards outlined by the USGBC’s LEED standard. Buildings over 25,000 sf must meet LEED Silver standards. Ironically, the city itself did NOT seek LEED certification for the Richard Meier-designed city hall it built in 2005, citing the cost of paperwork and consultants.
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