- Green Advantage at the Inaugural Ball
- Spotlight On: Dansko Corporate Headquarters in West Grove, Pennsylvania
- Meet the Trainers: Vicki Saville and George Felici
- Legislative Update: Obama Stimulus Package and Federal Renewable Energy Legislation
- State and Federal Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- WSJ Reports on “Green Gap”
- Spotlight On: Perfection Group
- Grand Rapids Community College and West Michigan - Leaders in Green Building Training
- Certifying Your Green Building Knowledge and Skills
- GA In the News...in Grand Rapids, Michigan and in New Jersey
- Green Tips from Sean de Launay of Virginia
- We Want to Hear from You!
Legislative Update: Obama Stimulus Package and Federal Renewable Energy Legislation
All eyes are on the Obama Administration's economic stimulus package. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The $787 billion stimulus act is focused on government spending initiatives intended to create jobs and jumpstart the economy as well as provide tax breaks for businesses and individuals. A significant part of the stimulus includes investments in green building, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. A more thorough analysis is available through the U.S. Green Building Council: www.usgbc.org/News/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?ID=3974
Not to be bypassed, however, is the federal renewable energy legislation that was passed at the end of 2008. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) was signed into law in September. The Act includes renewable energy incentives, carbon mitigation, green transportation measures, and energy conservation and efficiency measures. For more information see the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance's Staff Summary of the legislation:
www.finance.senate.gov/sitepages/2008legislation.htm (see Staff Summary on 9-17-08).