Energy Department Sets Green Certification Standards
WASHINGTON — The Energy Department issued a final rule on Oct. 10 that requires new and retrofitted federal buildings to verify energy and water performance through green building certification systems in the private sector.
The department said it will help ensure that in cases where agencies choose to use green building certification systems to meet federal sustainability and energy standards, they must choose a system that verifies enhanced energy and water efficiency. The rule goes into effect Nov. 13.
In commercial buildings, energy efficiency is the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. The association notes that insulation currently in place in U.S. buildings reduces the amount of carbon dioxide by 780 million tons each year. 
WASHINGTON — Roger Platt, senior vice president of global policy and law for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is taking over the council’s president position, according to an Oct. 2 announcement. 
Parsippany, N.J. — At Lexus’ eastern training facility in Parsippany, an old warehouse has been transformed into a state-of-the-art sustainable space. 
DENTON, Texas — After three years of research, experts at the University of North Texas (UNT) believe they have found a plant-based material that is cost-efficient to manufacture and capable of significantly reducing energy consumption.