Sustainable Living and the Stimulus Bill ?

We're all a buzz about the Stimulus Bill that was signed into law on February 17th. But are you aware of its green initiatives?

Here are some highlights:

• Starting January 1, 2009, residential Geothermal Heat Pump systems will receive a 30% tax credit.
• Federal facilities and military installations will receive billions for energy upgrades.
• Each state will receive an average of $100 million for energy efficiency upgrades, the uses for that money to be determined by each state. All commercial and private buildings are eligible for a 10% grant in lieu of tax credit for the total cost of installing geothermal systems.
  
• But how does it affect you? To educate yourselves on the government support in place, read GeoExchange's article on the plan. http://www.geoexchange.org/component/content/article/90-stimulus-bill-increases-homeowner-tax-credit.html

What Makes a Product Green ?

What makes a building product green?

There isn't an easy answer to this because "building green" is a overall approach to construction and maintaining a building where many puzzle pieces fit together. Products must be evaluated based not only on the environmental impact of its manufacturing, use and ultimate disposal, but also how it functions as part of the larger system.

The following list of criteria used for defining green products was excerpted from "Building Materials: What Makes a Product Green?" as featured by Environmental Building News. The article looks at products independently. Rather than determining how to use products together to make a building green, it evaluates what makes certain products green. Be aware that nearly all "green" products can be used in ways that are not environmentally friendly. It is best to take a planned approach to renovation and building design with input from your contractor / architect. This can make the difference between a building with green components and one that is functioning, on the whole, for sustainable living.



Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste Content
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/salvaged-recycled

Products That Conserve Natural Resources
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/conserves-resources

Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/avoids-emissions

Products That Save Energy or Water
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/saves-energy-or-water

Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment
http://www.builditgreen.org/accessgreen/saves-energy-or-water