News
Green Building & Eco Friendly News
We are excited to share green building industry developments, news about our Member Companies, and of course current Rate It Green information. Please feel welcome to submit interesting news you have found. Note that Rate It Green does include news announcements as a part of some sponsorship offerings.
You can also learn more by following Rate It Green on social media. We greatly appreciate your likes, follows, and general votes of support.
Appraisal Institute's FREE Guide to Value Green Buildings and Homes
Did you know that the Appraisal Institute published and offers a Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum? This document provides a unique framework for assisting appraisers to value commercial asset and the value of its green component, such as solar panels and other energy efficient infrastructures. There are also articles published on the Appraisal Institute on a quarterly basis available on www.appraisalinstitute.org/publications. They teach appraisers on green topics as well as industry trends.
The link below leads… Show more
Falling Prices Help Solar Add Value to Your Home
Having solar panels on your home used to be "more of an 'earth warrior' statement than a great way to power a home while reducing electric bills." It is no longer the case. When the solar panels were first introduced back in the 1970s, the cost per watt used to $70. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) most recent report, it is now only $2.8 per watt in early 2017. It has now become a truly worthy investment for many homeowners.
More than 1.4 million American homeowners hav… Show more
Green Building Certifications Reach Record Levels in Nation’s Largest Cities
The number of America's certified green buildings are hitting a record high. Researchers have found green certified office space (either LEED certified or EPA's Energy Star label) across America’s 30 largest metro areas has reached 41 percent of market totals – the highest in the index’s history.
Chicago again claimed the top spot by having nearly 70% of its buildings green certified, followed by San Francisco at around 64%. Atlanta took the third place by having 58% of all buildings green certi… Show more
IPCC Report: Global Warming Crisis Could Come As Early As 2030
The new IPCC report issued in 2018 is "quite a shock, and quite concerning." said Bill Hare, an author of previous I.P.C.C. reports and a physicist with Climate Analytics, a nonprofit organization. In 2016, the IPCC accepted an invitation to analyze the impact of 1.5 °C above the industrial level instead of 2 °C. The new report is contributed by 91 authors from 40 different countries, citing more than 6,000 scientific researches and included a total of 42,001 expert and government review comments. The report not only summarize… Show more
2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC), Released on November 8
The 2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC) was released on November 8 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), International Code Council, ASHRAE and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
The 2018 International Green Construction Code, or 2018-IgCC, will help governments streamline code development and improve industry standardization through a comprehensive document that emphasizes easy adoption, use and enforcement.
"Our hope is that building professionals and policymakers alike adopt better, greener b… Show more
What are You Doing Today for Energy Efficiency Day?
October 5 has been declared Energy Efficiency Day, by the US Senate, and over 40 local governments and more than 300 communities, companies and organizations: https://bit.ly/2RtpohM
To learn more and to take action in your home or neighborhood, visit: https://www.energyefficiencyday.org/take-action/
Show more
World Green Building Week - September 24-30
It's Green Building Week September 24th-30th! This is a time every year when the USGBC, World GBC and partnering chapters and organizations work to promote and really celebrate sustainable building materials, products, companies/organizations - and people - in a way designed to support cooperation and growth in green building generally.
The campaign's focus this year is on residential green building and change - what steps can each of us take to start or continue chanigng our habits and reducing th… Show more
California Votes in Carbon-Free Electricity Generation, with a 2045 Target
Following Hawaii's lead and pending Governor Brown's expected signature, California lawmakers voted at the end of August to require 100 percent carbon-free electricity generation by 2045.
California currently gets 29% of electricity, up from 11% a decade ago. The state currently has a commitment to obtain 50 percent of its electricity from wind, solar and geothermal power by 2030. This legislation increases that commitment to 60 percent by 2030, and then to 100% by 2045... read more. Show more
Ireland Will Become the World's First Country to Divest from Fossil Fuels
We know that UK church plans to dump $21 billions of fossil fuels if the companies do not align to climate change goals by 2023. Now, the practice levels up to a national action in Ireland. The Republic of Ireland will become the first country in the world to sell off its investments in fossil fuel companies, after a bill was passed with all-party support in the lower house of parliament on July 12th (Yessenia Funes).
The bill is expected to pass the upper chambers of parliament easily (Yessenia Funes). If that happens… Show more
UK Church Plans to Dump $21 Billion in Fossil Fuels if the Companies Do Not Align to Climate Change Goals by 2023
One of the UK's largest charity fund managers, The Church of England's parliament, has voted 347 to four in favor with three abstaining to sell $21 billion worth of investments in fossil fuels if the companies do not align to climate change goals by 2023.
The vote applies to the Church of England Pensions Board, the Church Commissioners and the CBF Church of England Funds.
To read more, please visit:
Kanika Sood
Financial Standard
https://www.financialstandard.com.au/news/church-threatens-to-dump-21bn-of-f… Show more
Appraisal Institute's FREE Guide to Value Green Buildings and Homes
Did you know that the Appraisal Institute published and offers a Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum? This document provides a unique framework for assisting appraisers to value commercial asset and the value of its green component, such as solar panels and other energy efficient infrastructures. There are also articles published on the Appraisal Institute on a quarterly basis available on www.appraisalinstitute.org/publications. They teach appraisers on green topics as well as industry trends.
The link below leads… Show more
Falling Prices Help Solar Add Value to Your Home
Having solar panels on your home used to be "more of an 'earth warrior' statement than a great way to power a home while reducing electric bills." It is no longer the case. When the solar panels were first introduced back in the 1970s, the cost per watt used to $70. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) most recent report, it is now only $2.8 per watt in early 2017. It has now become a truly worthy investment for many homeowners.
More than 1.4 million American homeowners hav… Show more
Green Building Certifications Reach Record Levels in Nation’s Largest Cities
The number of America's certified green buildings are hitting a record high. Researchers have found green certified office space (either LEED certified or EPA's Energy Star label) across America’s 30 largest metro areas has reached 41 percent of market totals – the highest in the index’s history.
Chicago again claimed the top spot by having nearly 70% of its buildings green certified, followed by San Francisco at around 64%. Atlanta took the third place by having 58% of all buildings green certi… Show more
IPCC Report: Global Warming Crisis Could Come As Early As 2030
The new IPCC report issued in 2018 is "quite a shock, and quite concerning." said Bill Hare, an author of previous I.P.C.C. reports and a physicist with Climate Analytics, a nonprofit organization. In 2016, the IPCC accepted an invitation to analyze the impact of 1.5 °C above the industrial level instead of 2 °C. The new report is contributed by 91 authors from 40 different countries, citing more than 6,000 scientific researches and included a total of 42,001 expert and government review comments. The report not only summarize… Show more
2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC), Released on November 8
The 2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC) was released on November 8 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), International Code Council, ASHRAE and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
The 2018 International Green Construction Code, or 2018-IgCC, will help governments streamline code development and improve industry standardization through a comprehensive document that emphasizes easy adoption, use and enforcement.
"Our hope is that building professionals and policymakers alike adopt better, greener b… Show more
What are You Doing Today for Energy Efficiency Day?
October 5 has been declared Energy Efficiency Day, by the US Senate, and over 40 local governments and more than 300 communities, companies and organizations: https://bit.ly/2RtpohM
To learn more and to take action in your home or neighborhood, visit: https://www.energyefficiencyday.org/take-action/
Show more
World Green Building Week - September 24-30
It's Green Building Week September 24th-30th! This is a time every year when the USGBC, World GBC and partnering chapters and organizations work to promote and really celebrate sustainable building materials, products, companies/organizations - and people - in a way designed to support cooperation and growth in green building generally.
The campaign's focus this year is on residential green building and change - what steps can each of us take to start or continue chanigng our habits and reducing th… Show more
California Votes in Carbon-Free Electricity Generation, with a 2045 Target
Following Hawaii's lead and pending Governor Brown's expected signature, California lawmakers voted at the end of August to require 100 percent carbon-free electricity generation by 2045.
California currently gets 29% of electricity, up from 11% a decade ago. The state currently has a commitment to obtain 50 percent of its electricity from wind, solar and geothermal power by 2030. This legislation increases that commitment to 60 percent by 2030, and then to 100% by 2045... read more. Show more
Ireland Will Become the World's First Country to Divest from Fossil Fuels
We know that UK church plans to dump $21 billions of fossil fuels if the companies do not align to climate change goals by 2023. Now, the practice levels up to a national action in Ireland. The Republic of Ireland will become the first country in the world to sell off its investments in fossil fuel companies, after a bill was passed with all-party support in the lower house of parliament on July 12th (Yessenia Funes).
The bill is expected to pass the upper chambers of parliament easily (Yessenia Funes). If that happens… Show more
UK Church Plans to Dump $21 Billion in Fossil Fuels if the Companies Do Not Align to Climate Change Goals by 2023
One of the UK's largest charity fund managers, The Church of England's parliament, has voted 347 to four in favor with three abstaining to sell $21 billion worth of investments in fossil fuels if the companies do not align to climate change goals by 2023.
The vote applies to the Church of England Pensions Board, the Church Commissioners and the CBF Church of England Funds.
To read more, please visit:
Kanika Sood
Financial Standard
https://www.financialstandard.com.au/news/church-threatens-to-dump-21bn-of-f… Show more
A look into the future – Fresno community gets a head start on solar energy homes
California became the first state in the nation to require solar panels on all new homes and low-rise apartment buildings starting in 2020. As a part of the overall strategy, California is hoping to offset greenhouse gas emissions with the addition of solar arrays to these new buildings. The end goal for this new mandate is for California’s housing to achieve zero net energy. This means that the total amount of energy used by the building is equal to the total amount of renewable energy created by the building.
The California Energy C… Show more
How The New Tax Bill Can Help Your Commercial Solar Business Financially
The new tax bill that was implemented this January provided good news for solar businesses and for companies interested in going solar. First, the bill reduced the corporate tax rate of commercial entities that include solar PV systems. Before, solar companies were saving money on operating expenses, but making up for it with a higher tax liability. The new tax bill lowered the federal corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent, making solar buildings more profitable for the company.
Additionally, the new tax bill included a revision on the d… Show more
Spotlight on GreenCE Inc., our Newest Premium Listed Company
We’re pleased to introduce GreenCE, Inc. as a sponsor for the Rate It Green platform. GreenCE is an AIA Education Provider and USGBC Education Partner based in the Portland, Oregon area. GreenCE provides free AIA continuing education for design professionals seeking their mandatory CE hours. In addition, the organization offers no-cost LEED specific hours and the only free LEED Exam Prep program in North America.
“We are very excited to be working with Rate It Green. Collaboration and innovation are the core principle… Show more
Rate It Green's Open Green Building Calendar
We're excited to announce the launch of Rate It Green's open Green Building Calendar. More than the tool itself and the events we can now host and promote, this calendar represents the idea of expanding collaboration. As a platform, Rate It Green of course facilitates online connecting and discussion. But we all know that when we can get together in person, we can also learn and collaborate in tremendous ways.
What's so exciting about a Calendar? Lots! For one thing, the calendar will accept events in ANY&… Show more
Post Election '16 - What Can You Do?
Rate It Green is not a political organization to be sure, but this community resource supports the natural environment by working with others to lessen the impact of the built environment. We promote healthy and sustainable building practices, and it's our goal to help as many people and companies connect and share informatoin to help green building become mainstream. As such, our goals pretty much make it clear that we support safe air and water, healthy and green materials and buildings, resouce and energy efficiency , reuse a… Show more
See you in New Orleans!
Allison Friedman will be attending the Healthy Building Materials Summit and Greenbuild October 21 - 25, in New Orleans. Email afriedman@rateitgreen.com if you are also attending and want to meet in person. Here's to a great week! Show more
Build YOUR Ideal Rate It Green!
With Rate It Green's Community features now live, it's now time to build YOUR ideal Green Building Community! Ideas for participation include:
Create a Profile, and show off your talents and expertise
Register Your Company and List your Products and Services
Rate Products and Services you have worked with
Start or join a Discussion, and ask or answer questions
Create or Join a group of folks with similar interests
Submit a "Comments" for a Directory listing
Reach out to other M… Show more