ASHRAE - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers advances technology to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. |
| ASHRAE 2001 - The purpose of this standard is to provide minimum requirements for all energy-efficient designs of buildings except low-rise residential buildings. |
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International Dark-Sky Association - The mission of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. |
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Consortium for Energy Efficiency - CEE is a consortium of efficiency program administrators from across the U.S. and Canada who work together on common approaches to advancing efficiency. Through joining forces, the individual efficiency programs of CEE are able to partner not only with each other, but with other industries, trade associations, and government agencies. By working together at CEE, administrators leverage the effect of their funding dollars, exchange information on effective practices and achieve greater energy efficiency for the public. |
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International Code Council - The International Code Council (ICC), a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council. |
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EPACT - The Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed by President Bush on August 8, 2005, offers consumers and businesses federal tax credits beginning in January 2006 for purchasing fuel-efficient hybrid-electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances and products. Most of these tax credits remain in effect through 2007 |
| Energy-efficient Commercial building deductions-This provision allows a tax deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings that reduce annual energy and power consumption by 50% compared to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 2001 standard. The deduction would equal the cost of energy-efficient property installed during construction, with a maximum deduction of $1.80 per sq. ft. of the building. Additionally, a partial deduction of 60 cents per sq. ft. would be provided for building subsystems. |
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NJ Smart Start Building Program - A statewide energy-efficiency program available through New Jersey's electric and gas utility companies designed to offer incentives for upgrading to high efficiency equipment. The program also offers design support for larger projects and technical assistance for smaller projects. If your project specifications do not fit into anything defined by the program, there are even incentives available for custom projects. |
| Incentives available for commercial or industrial project from the ground up, renovating existing space, or upgrading equipment. |
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LEED (US Green Building Council) - Various Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) initiatives including legislation, executive orders, resolutions, ordinances, policies, and incentives are found in 44 states, including 159 localities ( 105 cities, 29 counties, and 25 towns), 31 state governments, 12 federal agencies or departments, 15 public school jurisdictions and 38 institutions of higher education across the United States.
A complete list can be found at http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1852 |
| In July 2005, the Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 46 of 2005 (House Bill 628), amending school construction reimbursement rates for Pennsylvania Public Schools, specifically providing hundreds of dollars of funding per pupil for public schools within the Commonwealth with proof of LEED Silver certification or higher, or two Green Globes or higher. Four state funds including the $20 million Sustainable Energy Fund provide grants, loans and "near-equity" investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Pennsylvania. |
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DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. |
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FEMP - The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) works to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the Federal government by advancing energy efficiency and water conservation, promoting the use of distributed and renewable energy, and improving utility management decisions at Federal sites. |
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LEED - LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque, which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work. There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning LEED certification. LEED-certified buildings: |
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Lower operating costs and increased asset value.
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Reduce waste sent to landfills.
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Conserve energy and water.
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Healthier and safer for occupants.
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Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
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Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
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Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
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