Fyi…MSN.Com has an article up entitled “Green Roofs Popping Up In Big Cities”

As you may have already read on these pages, there are a couple of residential green roofs currently available in Philadelphia. Check out our Berks Hewson project page for more info.

If you have an image of a Green Roof anywhere that you’d like to share with us, please feel free to include a link using the comment form at the bottom of this post. In the meantime, here’s a fun Flickr slideshow based on a search for “green roof.” Enjoy!

MORE INFO AT BERKS/HEWSON TWINS PROJECT PAGE

Hey my fellow Philadelphia energy lovers,

I just signed up to the new Earth Hour website for 2008 and I thought you might like to take a look and possibly sign up too. Earth Hour is on 29 March 2008 at 8pm, and it looks like it’s going to be really big. So far – Sydney, San Francisco, Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Manila, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Brisbane and Toronto are all turning off their lights for an hour in the name of fighting global warming- and not just the homes- for example the lights on the Golden Gate Bridge will be off as well. And I’m sure there’ll be more cities If you aren’t in to global warming…think of it as saving some money on your electric bill.

Sign up for Earth Hour with me by visiting http://www9.earthhourus.org/signup/

and join the effort.

(Curious about what a Groof Is? )

With care,

Rachel Lipton, RE/MAX City Space

http://rlipton.mustseespace.com

The tax incentive assistance program (TIAP) is another way Philadelphia business and individuals can take advantage of energy efficient upgrades. TIAP is sponsored by a variety of public interest nonprofit groups and government agencies to provide information on federal income tax incentives for new energy efficient technologies and products as part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

Presently incentives can only be taken for qualifying vehicles, fuel cell systems, or solar PV or water heating systems. As of 2008 the home improvement and purchase tax incentive has not yet been extended by Congress. However consumers have a $500 per home tax credit cap which does not include the solar and vehicle credits.

Tax benefits are also available for industrial manufacturing plants for solar, microturbines and fuel cells. Information on commercial property incentive can be found on The Commercial Building Tax Deduction (CBTDC) web site.

The tax incentive web site has a wealth of information; http://www.energytaxincentives.org. Direct specific questions to tiap@acee.org or call the Department of Energy at 1-800-dial-DOE.

Posted by: Joe Sweeney, RE/MAX CITY SPACE

http://joephilly.com

I’m sure we can agree that Philadelphia is at least a little “dirty” in spots and could use some cleanup…

(more…)

A few homes are still available in Northern Liberties’ Brown Street Estates, the great eco-friendly (though not LEED) project Developed by Domani

For more info, please visit the Brown Street Estate Project Page over at PhiladelphiaRealEstateHub.Com’s New Construction page.

Thanks!

If you’ve got a “Big ECO“and would like to tell us a little bit about what you’re doing at home or at work to make Philadelphia a little more Eco-Friendly, we’d very much like to hear your story.

In order to satisfy that big ECO of yours, we’ll post your response here along with any shameless plugging you might to do for your Philly area business. Feel free to self promote using our contact page and we’ll be sure to showcase your big eco on these pages.

One big advantage of working with a real estate agent that has their Eco-Broker designation is their ability to help buyers find money saving, energy efficiency programs and green mortgages for eco-friendly properties. Many of the eligibility guidelines for green financing are developed by the Energy Star program which is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Energy Star provides individuals and businesses with incentive programs to help subsidize energy efficient and environmentally friendly living. Besides providing advice, resources and energy efficiency analysis tests the program provides a variety of green related finance options for buyers and lenders.

Qualifying Energy Star rated commercial or residential properties are eligible for special financing from individual or private lenders and even sponsored lenders such as utility companies, manufacturers or retailers that want to have their name associated with the green revolution.

More details of the Energy Star programs can be found at http://www.energystar.gov.

Posted by: Joe Sweeney, RE/MAX CITY SPACE

http://joephilly.com

Looks like the 4th tallest building in the world might be coming to Philly? And It’ll Be LEED Gold!

From Phillyist.com:

The American Commerce Center will be constructed with a US Green Building Council LEED Gold Certification in mind. This seems to be a positive trend in Philly when considered alongside the green-minded development of the Comcast Center. As a further snub to the environment- and streetscape-damaging automobile, all of the building’s unavoidable parking space will be underground

Be sure to read the entire Phillyist Article and check out renderings + project details at PhillySkyline.com. Lotsa Fun!