Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sustainable Design

This article from the New York Times shares various opinions of the green/sustainability movement in the USA.  It also talks about various techniques real estate developers can utilize to ensure that their developments meet green standards.  It mentions the LEED certification system and checklist which is a checklist of sustainable methods a developer can follow in order to receive LEED certification.  Sustainable building is very important in today’s world and more and more people are holding developers to a higher standard.  A building can last many years and it is essential that throughout its lifetime it emits as little toxins as possible.  The article goes on to explain that developers who utilize sustainable methods in the construction of a building can be eligible for a variety of tax cuts and other incentives.  This relates to class because it is an example of government tax expenditures.

-Robbie Nichols

1 comment:

  1. Sustainable Design is becoming a more realivant issue. Currently, individuals can recieve tax exemptions for maintaining energy efficient homes and commercial buildings. These iniatives will eventually become mandates that penalize ineffecient building owners. These mandates will attempt to change the inefficient nature of most buildings. This inefficiency costs building owners and tax payers alike. The more energy that is saved the cheaper energy will be in the future. Sustianabilty is coming whether or not individuals and corporations suport it. Without sustianable policies ecosystems and energy sources will be destroyed in the near future.
    -Mitchell Kellman

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