Gibbons Law Alert

Gibbons Law Alert

Tagged: Green

Proposed Legislation Will Require Shopping Center Developments in NJ to Provide Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

by

Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues / Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On March 30, 2011

One of the problems with electric cars (EVs) is – what do you do when the battery runs down? Currently there are 500 charging stations in the United States and 400 of them are in California. In an attempt to address the dead battery problem and encourage purchase of EVs, on March 21, 2011, the New Jersey State Senate introduced Bill S2784 (the “Bill”) which requires owners of shopping center developments to include charging stations. Under the Bill, owners of a “shopping center development” must equip not less than five (5%) percent of the parking spaces for the shopping center development with electric vehicle charging stations. Moreover, such stations must be available for use during the hours of operation of the shopping center development.

How to Avoid “Sun-block” – New Jersey’s Solar Easements Act

by

Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues

On January 18, 2011

As more and more business owners and homeowners in New Jersey take advantage of the incentives available to build and maintain solar energy systems and solar panels, it’s important that such investments be protected from unwanted disputes with neighbors. A little known New Jersey statute may be able to help. Recent statistics on New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program website indicate that New Jersey is the fastest growing market for solar power in the United States, and has the largest number of solar panel installations, second only to California, where neighborly disputes over trees blocking solar panels, solar panels impairing views, causing glare and other general nuisance claims are becoming more and more common.

New Jersey Legislature Extends Special Appraisal Rules for Land Preservation Efforts in Highlands Region

by

Posted in Environmental and Green Issues / Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On September 24, 2010

Owners of land subject to the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (Highlands Act) who preserve their land under the Green Acres Program or the State Farmland Preservation Program will benefit from special appraisal rules for five more years, thanks to legislation signed into law by Governor Christie on September 9. Under the “dual appraisal” provision, which expired last year but has now been extended to 2014, landowners receive two appraisals — one based on current property value, and one based on pre-Highlands Act zoning and other restrictions — and the higher appraisal is used as the basis for negotiation with the State on the appropriate payment.

Green or Not to Green, That is the Question? Whether it is Nobler to Build a Green Building or Suffer the Ignominy of an Ungreen One

by

Posted in Development/Redevelopment / Environmental and Green Issues / Transactional Real Estate and Leasing

On September 14, 2010

With energy costs high and the focus on combating global warming, there is an impetus toward encouraging the development of Green Buildings. Buildings account for 39% of the total energy usage in the U.S., two thirds of the electricity consumption and 1/8 of the water usage. Building codes, setting minimum standards for construction, now include standards for energy efficiency. Green Codes are creeping in.

EPA Announces Energy Star Program Available for Data Centers

by

Posted in Environmental and Green Issues

On July 1, 2010

On June 9, 2010, USEPA announced that data centers will be eligible to earn the Energy Star label. The data center must be in the top 25% of its peers in energy efficiency as measured by EPA’s energy performance scale, the Power Usage Effectiveness metric. Unlike the Energy Star program for consumer appliances which relies on self-reporting, the Energy Star program for data centers requires a licensed professional to independently verify the energy performance of the building and sign and seal the application document that is sent to EPA for review and approval. Such data centers, which account for approximately 1.5% of electricity consumption, will be able to save money and energy and fight climate change. Moreover, with the increase in demand for “green” vendors by federal, state and local governmental agencies and corporations, a data center with an Energy Star label would have a competitive advantage in seeking such customers.

Connect:

About Gibbons

With 200 attorneys, Gibbons is a leading law firm in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, DC, and Florida, ranked among the nation’s top 200 by The American Lawyer. More…

Subscribe

Archived Blog Posts

Categories