The City of Seattle has set a goal of reducing energy use by 20 percent over 2005 levels by 2020. To do that, it has to make major improvements in the half of all energy use which occurs in buildings. The City’s energy code for new buildings is state of the art. But that alone
Green Building
Oberlin, Ohio Joins the Ground Game of Carbon Neutrality
By Elaine Spencer on
I was asked last week to refer someone to a consultant who could help them evaluate a business selling carbon credits and renewable energy credits. While I could suggest a consultant to do that, I had to note that selling carbon credits just isn’t the same business as it would have been if the United…
It Will Take Focus and Money Just to Stay in the Game
By Elaine Spencer on
The hallmark of a consultant’s report is that when you read it, your first reaction is “I knew that.” The hallmark of a consultant’s report that was worth the money is that your second reaction is, “It’s about time someone said it out loud that clearly.”
So it was with the release a little over…
What’s the Proper Accounting for Forest Off-Sets?
By Elaine Spencer on
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) held its annual meeting two weeks ago, and as part of that meeting hosted the most heated debate on the proper accounting for carbon sequestration by forests, and the potential credit that forests in the United States may be entitled to that I have heard. On one side, Mark…