• USGBC will collect performance data on all LEED buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council has launched the Building Performance Initiative, a program designed to put in place a comprehensive data collection effort from all buildings that have achieved LEED certification. The program will also implement an appropriate analysis methodology of that data and provide feedback to building owners so they have better information with which to address performance gaps that stem from predicted building performance versus actual performance.
• AGC: Construction employment declined in 47 states in July. Few states were immune from construction employment declines in July based on analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. That analysis found that 47 states saw declines in construction employment, while only two states (Louisiana and North Dakota) saw increases and one (Mississippi) saw no change in construction employment between July 2008 and July 2009.
• Green consultant guarantees LEED certification or your money back. With cities mandating LEED certification for public and even private buildings in growing numbers, an Atlanta-based sustainability consulting firm is hoping to ease anxieties over meeting those goals with the industry’s first “green guarantee.” If the desired certification is not achieved, Energy Ace will refund 100% of its LEED administration fee.
• Design firms taking on more liability risk, but BIM insurance is available. A SmartRisk survey of 17 professional liability insurance carriers specializing in coverage for building design firms found that 82% of such firms are accepting more risk, while 36% of the carriers said premium rates were down 5-20%, and 75% said they offer BIM coverage. Purchase the report at: www.smartrisk.biz.
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