The Law of Green Buildings: Regulatory and Legal Issues in Design, Construction, Operations, and Financing

Buildings and the built environment use vast amounts of energy and other resources in construction, operation, and demolition. In 2009, the residential and commercial building sector was responsible for more than 50 percent of total annual U.S. energy consumption and 74 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption. Beyond that, buildings are responsible for significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, while the materials in them can "offgas" and contribute to indoor air pollution. Green buildings use land and energy efficiently, conserve water, improve indoor and outdoor air quality, and increase the use of recycled materials. They can also lead to reduced operating costs, offering a better return on investment and overall building value.

This is a convenient and conscient guide to EPCRA and the regulations implementing the Act. Topics covered include: Emergency planning and notification; Substances and facilities subject to the EPCRA emergency planning process; Routine reporting requirements and MSDS reporting; General provisions; and Trade secret factors and EPA trade secret regulation.

Global Climate Change and U.S. Law provides comprehensive coverage of the country's law as it relates to global climate change. After a summary of the factual and scientific background, Part I outlines the international and national legal framework of climate change regulation and associated litigation. Part II describes emerging regional, state and local actions, and includes a 50-state survey. Part III covers issues of concern to corporations, including disclosure, fiduciary duties, insurance, and subsidies. Part IV examines the legal aspects of efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, such as voluntary efforts, emissions trading, and carbon sequestration. Global Climate Change and U.S. Law includes key resource aids, including a glossary of climate related terms; a list of acronyms; extensive endnotes; and a comprehensive index.

This updated edition of an ABA bestseller provides a step-by-step, solution-oriented look at the environmental and economic challenges of redeveloping contaminated property. After beginning with a thorough explanation that puts brownfields redevelopment into a current context, the book first details the most important legal, business, financial, and political issues associated with redeveloping contaminated real estate, including insights and strategic advice from experts in various disciplines—a template for getting the brownfields deal done. The third part of the book discusses the basic science for dealing with contaminated property appropriately and effectively. Finally, the fourth section offers detailed and current information on the important elements of each state’s voluntary cleanup program.