Welcome to the latest edition of Arent Fox’s Green Real Estate Report - our newsletter designed to keep you informed about recent developments in green building and sustainability.

National

Canadian Contractors Confronting Administrative Aspects of LEED Certification Process

As an increasing number of Canadian governments are considering the merits of LEED-driven legislation, Canada’s contractors are speaking out about the increased costs and associated red tape on projects that pursue third-party green building certification.

Remedies in Review: DBIA’s Sustainable Project Goals Construction Contract Exhibit

The Design-Build Institute of America’s Sustainable Project Goals Exhibit was released last May and, although the document is intended to be annexed to a design-build contract, the ways through which specific risks are allocated between the owner and design-builder are worth describing in some detail and have implications for general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, and consultants alike.

USGBC: No Such Thing as LEED Decertification?

The LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements appear to have created some confusion over exactly when - and more importantly, if - USGBC will exercise its ability to remove LEED certification from buildings under certain circumstances.

New York

New York City’s Greener, Greater Buildings Plan: Lighting Upgrade Law (Int. No. 973)

One of the four pieces of legislation which comprise the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, the Lighting Upgrade Law amends Chapter 3 of title 28 of the New York City administrative code (i.e. the Building Code) and adds articles 310 – Required Upgrade of Lighting Systems – and 311 – Installation of Electrical Submeters in Tenant Spaces.

Homes Sweet Homes: NYSERDA Gets Props From EPA For Energy Star Homes Program

NYSERDA has won its fifth straight Sustained Excellence Award from the EPA/Energy Star and also been recognized with Energy Star’s 2010 Leadership in Housing Award in recognition of NYSERDA’s Energy Star Homes program.

Schoolhouse Rocks: Bronx’s Haven Academy Charter School Rehab Seeking LEED Platinum

Mott Haven was one South Bronx neighborhood that was among the worst in the South Bronx when the South Bronx was at its worst, but it, too, has come up in the world. In September of 2009, the Haven Academy Charter School opened in Mott Haven to general acclaim. Right now, Haven Academy is housed in PS 73, but in 2010, the school will move to a rehabbed warehouse at 170 Brown Place in Mott Haven that will pursue either LEED Gold or Platinum certification. Even by the recent standards of the South Bronx’s turbo-charged rejuvenation, this was pretty quick.

For more information on our green building experience, please contact:

Stephen T. Del Percio
delpercio.stephen@arentfox.com
212.457.5542

For more information on our Construction Practice Group contact:

Mark Bloom
bloom.mark@arentfox.com
212.457.5410

James Frankel
frankel.james@arentfox.com
212.457.5409

Andrew Ross
ross.andrew@arentfox.com
212.484.3986

Eugene Scheiman
scheiman.eugene@arentfox.com
212.484.3949