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New Codes & Regulations
Green Building Litigation
According to a report by Harvard Law School, green building is generally referred to as “an effort to apply principles of environmental sustainability to every aspect of the construction of buildings.” However, there is no universal consensus as to the standard by which this “greenness” is to be measured. Currently, the most common standard for a green building is known as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, a third party certification system based on categories related to sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and environmental quality, plus innovation and design.
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Momentum Continues to Grow for Socially and Environmentally Responsible Aggregates (SERA)
The Canada Green Building Council, the Mayor of Oakville, and Mattamy Development Corporation are just three of many eminent groups speaking out in support of the Draft SERA Standards that were released last week.On June 1, 2011 the Draft SERA Standards were launched as a starting point in developing a world-class voluntary environmental and social certification system for Ontario's aggregate industry. While the draft standards may have initially arisen out of negotiations between Holcim Inc. and Environmental Defence, according to Michael Fenn, SERA's Interim Chair, "It is SERA's responsibility now to carry the standards forward."
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Window to the industry
It is generally recognized that there is considerable room for improvement when it comes to the installation of new and replacement windows in our industry. In recognition of the need, the CSA, with the support of the CWDMA and the NRC, have taken steps to initiate what is called the Fenestration Installation Personnel Certification Program.
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The Latest News About the Feed-in Tariff Program
The Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEA), introduced in the Ontario Legislature on February 23, 2009, includes a range of measures intended to foster a culture of conservation and to encourage the development of renewable energy projects in Ontario. Complementary to the GEA, the proposed Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) would guarantee specific prices for energy generated from renewable sources and drive investment to Ontario.
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How will the Green Energy Act Impact Utility Companies?
It is no doubt an historic piece of legislation: passed in Queen’s Park in May, the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEA) has been touted by the McGuinty government as an energy vehicle that will create jobs, protect the environment, and establish Ontario as a global renewable-energy leader.
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Codes and Standards are Changing
There is a considerable amount of activity underway in the development of both codes and standards, driven to some extent by the desire of many stakeholders both in the marketplace and on the regulatory side to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings of all types, and to improve the indoor environment for occupants.
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Building with care at healthcare facilities
Ever since it was identified that fungal spores and bacteria disrupted during construction maintenance and repair work were causing illness and death in our hospitals, Canada has taken the lead on mitigating these risks. The latest CSA standard takes that lead further in an effort to eliminate deaths that are still occurring.
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Ontario Public Sectors Get ready as Sunset of Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Approaches
You will probably remember the Ontario legislation (Electricity Act, 1998) that saw restructuring of the electricity sector which called for a number of changes, including the deconstruction of Ontario Hydro, the corporatisation of hundreds of utility commissions, new powers for the Ontario Energy Board to preside over electric utilities, and the introduction of wholesale and retail competition which opened with delays, fits and starts, in 2001. It was abruptly stopped some six months later as prices started to exhibit considerable volatility, characteristic of nascent markets, but unsavoury to the politicos of the times.
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