For all of you Eagles fans, did you know the Eagles are one of the greenest team in the NFL? And not just because of their colors! Lincoln Financial Field has major plans for green improvements in 2012. The stadium will have 2,500 solar panels and 80 wind turbines installed, as well as a generator that runs on natural gas. The stadium will be the first stadium in the United States capable of generating all of its own electricity.
What about right here in Central PA? Did you know that several PNC branches in Central PA have earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Building using recycled materials, energy efficient systems and a rain water recycling system? The Silver Spring Square and new Linglestown branch are both LEED Certified. PNC Bank in Camp Hill was the first green branch to be built in the area.
LEED is a rating system in which buildings accumulate points for things such as saving energy, having accessible mass transit, and mitigating storm water runoff. The building earns a LEED rating once it reaches a certain number of points. The higher the tally, the more sustainable the building is.
LEED rating systems are grouped into five main categories: Building Design the Construction, Interior Design and Construction, Operations and Maintenance, Homes and Neighborhood Development.
There are also incentives such as tax deductions, tax credits and fringe benefits for businesses to increase their energy efficiency. Here are a few examples:
- Businesses can deduct up to $1.80 per square foot of space in new or existing buildings where they install energy-efficient interior lighting, HVAC or hot water systems.
- Taxpayers can take credits of 10 percent (for geothermal, microturbines, or combined heat and power systems) or 30 percent (for solar, fuel cells or small wind turbines) for alternative energy systems designed to generate power for the taxpayer’s own use. Examples include solar energy used to generate electricity for heating or cooling and equipment that uses ground water to heat or cool a structure.
Aside from buildings, businesses can also take advantage of tax credits for cycling and carpooling.
Bicycle commuters are allowed a $20 per month fringe benefit exclusion as well as the cost of purchasing a bicycle, regular improvements or repairs and storage. Vanpools or transit passes are allowed a $230 per month benefit exclusion.
Think green building might be for you? Would you like more information about how to get started? You’ll need someone with expertise in commercial real estate to help you navigate the ‘turbine’ of building energy efficiency. Contact Michael Kushner at Omni Realty Group and start saving today!