By Derek Markham •
June 29, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama in February provides financial opportunities for homeowners, specifically tax credits, rebates, and loans for improving energy efficiency. The Act also provides tax credits for buying a house and for hybrid and alternative fuel car purchases. The problem is that the 400 page legislation can be tough to work your way through to find what’s available to you.
By Timothy B. Hurst •
March 28, 2009
Smith Electric Vehicles to build electric trucks in Kansas City
Company officials at the UK-based Smith Electric Vehicles announced on Friday that they will begin manufacturing “The world’s largest battery-electric-powered truck” at a new plant in Kansas City, Missouri.
The battery-powered Newton will be the first vehicle to be produced at the new plant, but starting next year, the plant will manufacture an electric version of the new Transit Connect light-duty vehicle in collaboration with made by Ford Motor Co.
By Scott Cooney •
March 4, 2009
The stimulus package changed some of the rules for tax credits for energy efficiency. Many of these changes should make energy efficiency expenditures a no-brainer for small businesses and homeowners.
By Jennifer Lance •
January 28, 2009
As part of the Senate’s proposed tax stimulus plan, tax credits of up to $7500 have been included for plug-in electric vehicles! This is huge proposal and signifies the Senate is willing to work with President Obama to wean the United States off its dependency on foreign oil.
The Senate proposal would double the number of cars eligible for the credit, as well as stimulate the economy through sales of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles when they hit the showrooms [...]
By Jennifer Kho •
January 28, 2009
MMA Renewable Ventures closed nearly $200 million in its third fund, the solar financer and developer said Tuesday.
The company, which finances and develops solar installations, raised the money last year and already spent the cash to create 20.6 megawatts of new solar-power projects throughout the United States. Those projects included a 2-megawatt system at the Denver International Airport, as well as installations for Macy’s Inc., Gap Inc., Florida Power & Light Co. and Lowe’s.
By Reenita Malhotra •
January 28, 2009
Energy tax provisions slated for the massive economic stimulus bill include expanded incentives for plug-in electric vehicles.
Now that’s some seriously good news even though gas prices are the lowest they have been in a long time.
The Senate unveiled yesterday that they would mark up the $272 billion tax measure as they are a promising way to help curb reliance on oil imports by effectively allowing electric power to substitute for oil-based transportation fuels. The energy provisions total more than [...]
By Joel Bittle •
January 23, 2009
In an effort to stabilize the housing market, Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson introduced S. 253, which seeks to expand the homebuyer tax credit passed by Congress last year. Instead of offering a tax credit only for first time home buyers that must be repaid over a 15-year period, the expanded proposal includes tax credits for all purchasers that do not need to be repaid unless the home is sold within three years. Included in the proposal are the following:
- Extending the eligibility period for the credit to December 31, 2009.
- Increasing the credit amount to 10 percent of the home price capped at 3.5 percent of FHA loan limits.
- “Monetizing” the credit so it is available at time of closing
- Allowing the credit to be used in conjunction with mortgages financed by state or local bonds.
By Reenita Malhotra •
January 1, 2009
Here we are officially at the start of what promises to be a year of taking steps towards the sustainable lifestyle that will positively impact us over the long term. What better time than now to think about how you can plan your green building efforts over the course of this year.
As always, the writers of Green Building Elements are here to guide you with all of the wonderful green resources that we here about everyday.
If you have not already [...]
By Dawn Killough •
December 30, 2008
The “economic bailout” passed by Congress in October included the extension of federal tax credits for energy efficiency. Here is a brief overview of the federal incentives.
By Reenita Malhotra •
October 27, 2008
Cascade Engineering has just launched its SWIFT Wind Turbine in the United States and Canada. Quieter than a whisper, SWIFT provides businesses and homeowners in windy environments an effective solution to lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.
By Reenita Malhotra •
October 15, 2008
Carbon Sciences, the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into high value, earth-friendly products such as precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is now developing a breakthrough technology to transform CO2 into the basic fuel building blocks required to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other portable fuels.
