After nearly five years of deliberations, the Federal Trade Commission has released its revised "Green Guides," which are aimed at environmental marketing claims.
The guidelines were first introduced in 1992 and updated in 1996 and 1998. (For more history and context for the Green Guides, we invite you to read the FTC’s 314-page
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision in the closely watched case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. To read about the Sackett decision and its potential effect on the construction industry, follow today’s post….
Continue Reading Supreme Court’s Decision in Sackett v. EPA May Assist Construction Projects
Timing is everything! As I was preparing for a LEED for Healthcare presentation this week, one of my partners sent me a piece about the innovative use of "pods" to cut building costs. The article by Mike Boyer focused on a team of two plumbing and mechanical contracting firms who want to transform how
Today’s guest post is by fellow Stites attorney Bill Gorton, who acts as national counsel to numerous clients on natural resource, environmental regulatory and land and water resources matters. He has been counsel in the development of over 10 power plants. If you have questions, you can contact Bill by email or phone
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday issued a final rule in an effort to reduce water pollution on construction sites. The rule, which is set to take effect in February 2010 over a four-year period, is targeted to improve the quality of water nationwide. According to a press release by the EPA, the impact is significant:
Construction activities like clearing, excavating and
I love seeing a case zig zag through the appellate process … and I especially enjoy reading one where intermediate appellate court reverses the trial court and the highest court then reverses that intermediate appellate court. I know, I’m sick.
In a decision released yesterday, Goff v. Elmo Greer & Sons Construction Company, the Supreme Court of Tennessee reversed
Living in the SEC at this time of the year is exciting! The competition is fierce and everyone has their favorite. And I am not talking about football . . .
Last week, I highlighted that Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey was speaking to a group of contractors in Nashville at the annual convention for the Associated General Contractors of Tennessee. At
Which is worse: (a) one lawyer in a room of one hundred architects; or (b) one architect in a room of one hundred lawyers?
Two weeks ago I found myself in the first category (… although I’m sure that I was not the only shark in the room …) at a local United States Green Building Council (USGBC) meeting
Today’s post was written by François Lévy, an architect, author and professor. Lévy maintains a blog, Sustainable Architecture, which he describes as a collection of short and thought-provoking essays on sustainability and architecture. Lévy resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and three children.
As an architect and a concerned citizen, I am
I know that I am a few hours early, but Governor Phil Bredesen is scheduled to sign the Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act of 2009 today at 1:30pm. He will be joined by key legislators, as well as members of his Energy Task Force.
Among other provisions, the new law will provide for: (1) a