Green Options

Ever the dabbler in architectural criticism, The Prince of Wales has criticized the green building industry for relying on eco-gadgets like wind turbines and solar panels while ignoring inefficient buildings.

Citing higher oil and grain prices, the French Government said it will phase out tax breaks for biofuels by 2012.

The IRS has had tax deductions in place through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which allow taxpayers to deduct the cost of energy-efficient equipment installed in commercial buildings they own. But publicly-owned buildings aren’t taxed, and therefore, there is no additional tax savings to the building owner. However, the law allows the designer of the energy-saving portion of a public building to claim the tax credit.