is it too easy to be green
EDT June 13, 2013
A USA TODAY examination shows that thousands of green builders win tax breaks, exceed local restrictions and get expedipatagonia r4 fleece jacket men's review1ted permitting under a system that often rewards minor, low cost steps. Green Building Council
LAS VEGAS Tpatagonia wetsuits cheaphe Palazzo Hotel and Casino boasts mpatagonia shoes new zealandany features of Las Vegas excess an ipatagonia better sweater ebayndoor waterfall, a smoke filled gaming area, seven decorative fountains, and guest suites with three TVs and power controlled curtains.
Yet the 50 story complex achieved an unlipatagonia store king street torontokely and lucrative milestone after opening in 2008. A powerful ppatagonia down sweater for salerivate organization declared it an environmentally friendly green building, the world s largest atbest patagonia day pack the time.
The designation patagonia r4 fleece jacket men's reviewwon its owner, Las Vegas Sands Corp., a $27 million tax break over 10 years because a Nevada law puts the private interest group not the government in charge of deciding which buildings are green enough for a taxpayer subsidy. Green Building Council, a building industry non profit, credited the Palazzo for having bike racks in the garage; room cards telling guests when towels are replaced; landscapipatagonia r4 fleece jacket men's review0ng that does not use grass, which local law prohibits anyway; and preferred parking for fuel efficient cars spots that on a recent week were occupied by Ford Expeditions, Chevy Tahoes, Range Rovers, Mercedes E320s, Chrysler 300s, Audi A6s, vans, sports cars and a Hummer.
The council even sidestepped its own policy and allowed smoking in the Palazzo casino, a 2.5 acre expanse between the hotel lobby and the hotel elevators.
Across the United States, the Green Building Council has helped thousands of developers win tax breaks and grants, charge higher rents, exceed local bu插patagonia express discount入5ilding restrictions and get expedited permitting by certifying them as green under a system that often rewards minpatagonia r4 fleece jacket men's review3or, low cost steps that have little or no proven environmental benefit, a USA TODAY analysis has found.
More than 200 states, cities and federal agencies now require LEED certification for new public buildings, even though they have done little independent and meaningful research into LEED s effectiveness. LEED can add millions to construction costs while promising to cut utility bills and other expenses.
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Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, Baltimore, Washington and roughly 85 other cities go an extra step and require some private commercial buildings to follow LEED. And nearly 200 jurisdictions give LEED builders tax breaks and other inpatagonia map onlinecentives.
