Michelle Foster
July 1, 2024
The SEC Climate Disclosure Rule: Why it Matters
On March 6, 2024, the SEC adopted its final climate disclosure rule which reflects the evolving intersection of business, finance, and sustainability. The SEC climate disclosure rule is a significant step towards integrating climate-related considerations into mainstream financial decision-making. It serves to enhance transparency, mitigate financial risks, support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and align U.S. standards with global best practices.
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Michelle Foster
June 21, 2024
The Importance of Green and Sustainable Housing for LGBTQ Youth
NGBS Green proudly certified the Ruth Ellis Center, an affordable housing and support center serving the LGBTQ+ community by providing a safe and healthy space for those who have been mistreated in the past. By investing in projects such as the Ruth Ellis Center, we send a strong message that every individual deserves a safe place to call home and a healthy planet to thrive on.
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Michelle Foster
May 7, 2024
Energy Efficiency Standards Adopted for HUD- and USDA-Financed Housing
On April 26, 2024, HUD published their final energy standards determination in the Federal Register as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EISA requires HUD and the USDA to set minimum energy standards for certain categories of housing financed or assisted by HUD and USDA.
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Michelle Foster
February 20, 2024
Half a Million NGBS Green Certifications and a Look Back on 2023
2023 was NGBS Green’s strongest year yet, with over 88,000 homes certified. We saw growth in a number of program areas and we are incredibly proud of our NGBS Green Verifiers as well as the builders and developers who are committed to building better, more sustainable homes.
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Michelle Foster
August 8, 2023
Sizing Up Comfort: The Art and Science of Proper HVAC Equipment Sizing
When it comes to achieving optimal comfort and energy efficiency in a home or apartment, proper sizing of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) equipment plays a pivotal role. Just like Goldilocks searching for the perfect bowl of porridge, getting the sizing just right can ensure that an HVAC system performs at its best, providing consistent comfort and saving you money in the long run.
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Michelle Foster
May 31, 2023
HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program: Making Affordable Housing More Sustainable
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) to help make affordable housing more sustainable. The program provides funding for grants and loans to help owners of multifamily-assisted properties make energy efficiency, water efficiency, and climate resilience improvements to their buildings.
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Michelle Foster
May 24, 2023
What Homebuyers Want in 2023
The housing market is constantly evolving, and what homebuyers want is no exception. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on sustainability and environmental impact, and this is reflected in the latest trends in homebuying.
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Michelle Foster
March 9, 2023
Maryland & Chicago Say NGBS Green = 2021 IECC for Code Compliance
The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) provides an alternative compliance option for energy efficiency programs deemed to be equivalent and NGBS Green is gaining as a rigorous and desirable alternative in local and state jurisdictions.
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Michelle Foster
February 15, 2023
2022: NGBS Green Year in Review
Now that January is in the books, we’ve all gotten used to writing “2023,” and we are coming up on the middle of the first quarter, I wanted to take some time to reflect on 2022.
Despite lots of ongoing issues related to COVID and disruptions in the supply chain, our NGBS Green certification program had a strong year. While we certified fewer total units (homes + apartments), as shown in the chart below, we certified more buildings than the year before. Certified homes (represented in yellow) also grew year over year.
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Michelle Foster
November 29, 2022
Federal Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient New Construction and Upgrades
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 is the most comprehensive and far-reaching federal investment to combat climate change to date, and the incentives for homes and multifamily buildings contained in the legislation can help transform the way we design, build, and renovate our homes and apartments for many years to come.
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