Looking for an introduction to municipal green building programs or energy efficiency codes?  In October of 2009, David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting traveled to Idaho to present to the Hailey City Council and the Blaine County Board of County Commissioners regarding above-code energy programs and green building codes. The presentation is a great introduction for elected officials and municipalities to the world of green building.

Watch the full presentation on the Environmental Resource Center’s website: Creating a Green Building Program.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

For years now, builders could claim a $2,000 tax credit for building energy efficient homes that met certain above-code requirements under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (or “EPAct”) Builders Tax Credit.  This tax credit has been effective at incentivizing builders to increase the energy performance of homes and has supported job growth in the home performance industry by promoting the sale of above-code systems and the utilization of home energy raters.

Unlike previous years, this year Congress left for holiday recess without extending this important $2,000 tax credit.  Thus, the 2005 EPAct Builders Tax Credit expired on December 31, 2009.  The failure of Congress to extend this important energy efficiency tax credit is surprising in light of the extraordinary governmental support of energy efficiency initiatives in 2009.  Despite the national groundswell of attention given to energy efficiency and the green energy economy over the last year, the expiration of this tax credit represents a step backwards for the residential energy efficiency movement.

So that’s the bad news.

Now here’s the good news.  Congress is scheduled to return from recess in mid-January 2010 and several residential energy efficiency organizations are gearing up to push for an extension of this important tax credit (and hopefully advocating for additional tax incentives for achieving an above-code Home Energy Rating Score).

While many in Congress have voiced support for legislation that promotes energy efficiency and green job creation, it seems that there are some who do not understand the substantial impact that this tax credit has had in promoting energy efficiency in the residential housing market.  We need to make sure Congress understands.  It is imperative that builders, energy raters and building professionals let their representatives know how important this tax credit has been to their clients over the last few years and how effectively it has promoted high-performance home construction.

If you haven’t already done so, email or call your representatives in Congress and let them know that you support tax credits for builders who build energy efficient homes that demonstrate above-code performance.  Not sure what to say?  Then just go ahead and forward them this blog post.

If you’re a member of Congress who wants a better understanding of how the $2,000 tax credit operates and has worked at promoting residential energy efficiency, give Populus Sustainable Design Consulting a call at 303-325-7650 and we’d be happy to share our experiences with you.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Over the holidays, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson hosted Populus Sustainable Design Consulting at its Philadelphia offices.  David Neiger, Principal at Populus, taught an Energy Design seminar for Bohlin Cywinski Jackson architects regarding high-performance home design, building science and residential energy modeling.

David Neiger of Populus with Christopher Renn and Joyce Raybuck of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is a national architecture firm that was founded in 1965 and has offices in Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco.  The firm is known for exceptional design and has received more than 410 regional, national and international awards for design.  The firm’s work is published regularly in professional journals worldwide.

Populus Sustainable Design Consulting offers a variety of workshops and seminars for architects regarding high-performance home design and how residential energy modeling can be used as a tool during the design process to improve energy performance.  Interested in learning more about Energy Design seminars for architects?  Contact Populus Sustainable Design Consulting at 303-325-7650.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.populussustainabledesign.com.

Are you planning to submit for permit in the City of Boulder before the new Compatible Development Ordinance goes into effect on January 3rd?

Populus Sustainable Design Consulting is commited to meeting all of our clients’ end-of-year HERS rating needs.  If you are working on a project that will need a HERS rating before year end – please contact us as soon as possible and we will put you on the schedule so we can meet your deadlines.  Keep in mind that Populus can streamline your code compliance by performing the required ACCA Manual J and D calculations – just let us know that you would like this service in addition to a HERS Rating.

You can contact Populus Sustainable Design Consulting for a proposal at 303-325-7650.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Just a reminder to all of our architects and builders that Populus Sustainable Design Consulting will be teaching its Energy Design Workshop in Denver tomorrow.  The workshop is sponsored by the City and County of Denver, the Governor’s Energy Office and the Environmental Protection Agency.   Populus’ Energy Design Workshop will familiarize participants with the HERS energy modeling process required for the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program and give architects and builders hands-on experience learning how to achieve above-code home energy performance within a budget.

Currently there are over sixty people registered for Populus’ workshop, but please contact Jack Sinclair at the City of Denver if you are interested in attending:  Jack.Sinclair@denvergov.org.  You can find more information about the workshop here.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Xcel Energy has clarified the program requirements for the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program.  Currently, the eligibility requirements for this rebate program are as follows:

• Residential unit (home) must be actively serviced by Xcel Energy natural gas in the State of Colorado
• At least one individual residential gas meter per unit/home must be installed and metered directly by Xcel Energy
• Structure must receive a qualified HERS rating, by an approved rater (Populus Sustainable Design Consulting is an approved rater in the program) and be submitted/approved by a RESNET HERS Provider in good standing (Populus handles this part for our clients)
• Homes that are connected to, and/or adjoin “conditioned common space” are not allowed (example: apartment buildings with interior hallways, foyers, and/or elevator shafts are not eligible)

In addition, Residential Science Resources, the company that administers the rebate program on behalf of Xcel Energy, has announced some upcoming changes to the Xcel ENERGY STAR for New Homes program, which are coming in 2010 (a specific date has not been announced):

• All participating homebuilders will be required to become an active ENERGY STAR partner (this is free of charge) as well as complete an online survey and release of data form.  The purpose of these requirements are to help Xcel Energy increase the marketing of ENERGY STAR homes throughout the state.
• Providing all homes participating in the program with no cost ENERGY STAR yard signs throughout the home’s construction.  Xcel Energy will provide signs at no cost to participating homebuilders adn arrange for installation and removal for each sign based on the construction dates provided by the HERS Raters (please provide Populus with construction dates to take advantage of this part of the program).
• $1,000 rebate per home that has a Whole House Evaporative Cooler installed as part of the ENERGY STAR New Homes Program.

If you have any questions about the Xcel Energy ENERGY STAR for New Homes Program, or would like to register projects through Populus Sustainable Design Consulting, please contact us at 303-325-7650 and we can answer your questions.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

We are rapidly approaching the United Nation’s climate change conference in Copenhagen (or “COP-15″, the 15th annual conference of parties).  Last week, the White House announced U.S. targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and announced that President Obama will head to Copenhagen on December 9th to attend the United Nation’s climate change conference.

What are President Obama’s targets for GHG reductions?  Initially, the U.S. will pursue a 17% reduction below 2005 levels by 2020 (to put this goal in historic context, the modest Kyoto targets were 7% below 1990 levels).  This proposed target corresponds to the GHG limits contained in the climate change legislation passed by the U.S. House.  It is worth noting that the U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would set a more aggressive target of 20% below 2005 levels by 2020.  Long term, President Obama has a stated goal of an 83% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050.  These long-term goals have been incorporated into pending climate change legislation by targeting 30% below 2005 levels by 2025 and to 42% below 2005 levels by 2030 (the same year that the Department of Energy is targeting affordable zero energy homes for all Americans).

In addition to President Obama, several top White House officials and cabinet members are also expected to attend the Copenhagen conference, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu.  For the first time in history, the United States will establish a Center at the conference where top U.S. officials will deliver keynote speeches on energy efficiency and climate change.  In a sign of the times, the U.S. Department of State has established a “COP-15″ Facebook page and website to track the event.

See the White House press release, the COP-15 Web site, and COP-15 Facebook Page.

In a parallel move, the day after the White House announced U.S. GHG targets, China announced a reduction of the “carbon intensity” of its emissions by 40%-45% by 2020.  This measure of emissions, which differs from the U.S.’s emission measurements focuses on the amount of CO2 emissions per unit of GDP.  China’s measurement would mean that total GHG emissions in China would actually increase from today’s levels, but would result in far less GHG emissions than the expected increases associated with the rapid growth of the economy in China.  To achieve these binding goals, China will focus on research, development and commercialization of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and encourage low-carbon lifestyles.  In addition, China’s Premier will attend the Copenhagen conference.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

We are pleased to announce that Populus Sustainable Design Consulting has been chosen by Wonderland Hill Development Company to serve as Sustainability Consultant for its Washington Village project in Boulder, Colorado.

Washington Village is a cohousing community located in the heart of Boulder within walking distance to the Pearl Street Mall.  Cohousing communities are designed to foster stronger community ties and to promote environmental sustainability.  The Washington Village project occupies the site of the historic Washington Elementary School and will incorporate the Washington’s School historic charm while featuring thirty three private residences and a shared common house in a park-like setting.   In addition to superb community connectivity and access to public transporation, the Washington Village will incorporate green building materials with energy efficient systems to create comfortable, efficient homes.

Want to be part of the Washington Village cohousing community?  The community is currently forming – learn more on the Washington Village Boulder website.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

We are pleased to announce that Populus Sustainable Design Consulting will be teaching an ENERGY STAR for New Homes Energy Design Workshop in Denver on December 7th.  The Energy Design Workshop is sponsored by the City and County of Denver, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will highlight How to Achieve Above-Code Home Energy Performance within a Budget.  For more information, including how to RSVP for this free workshop, please download the Energy Design Workshop Brochure.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.