INDUSTRY NEWS & NOTES
NumBER oF ENERgy StAR HomES BuILt
IN tHE uNItEd StAtES PASSES 1 mILLIoN
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reached a milestone for the Energy Star program by passing the 1 millionth Energy Star
qualified home mark. With more than 15,000 partners in sectors all across
the economy, Energy Star has helped save consumers money by reducing the
energy usage of products used in the home and office every day. Since the
program began labeling new homes in 1995, Americans have saved $1.2 billion on their energy bills, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 22 billion
pounds.
To earn the Energy Star label, a home must meet strict energy-efficiency
guidelines set by EPA. There are more than 6,500 builders across the nation
building homes that earn the Energy Star label and qualified new homes can
be found in every state in the country.
>> For more information about this milestone and the program visit
www.energystar.gov/onemillionhomes.
WORLD’S
TALLEST
SkYSCRAPER
OPENS
IN DUBAI
The world’s tallest skyscraper officially opened in Dubai in January.
At 828 meters, or 2,717 feet tall, the
Burj Dubai is far taller than Taiwan’s
Taipei 101, which had been the
world’s tallest skyscraper at 1,670
feet. The developer of the newly
opened tower said it cost about $1.5
billion to build the colossal building.
Billed as a “vertical city” of luxury
apartments and offices, the Burj
Dubai boasts four swimming pools,
a private library and a hotel designed
by Giorgio Armani.
wisconsin is the First State to
Enforce the Renovation, Repair
and Painting Rule
Wisconsin is the first state authorized to administer and enforce the U.S.
Renovation, Repair and Painting rule which mandates training and licensing
in lead-safe work practices for construction contractors, property managers
and others who work in homes and child-occupied facilities built before
1978. Gov. James E. Doyle certified that the Wisconsin programs—the
Lead-based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting program, and the Pre-Renovation Education program—are as protective as the U.S. Evironmental
Protection Agency (EPA) programs and provide adequate enforcement.
The Lead-based Paint Pre-Renovation Education program requires
construction contractors, property managers and others who perform
renovations for compensation to distribute the lead pamphlet “Renovate
Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers
and Schools” to owners and occupants before starting renovation work.
>> visit www.burjdubai.com for
more information.
>> For more about lead-based paint and ePa’s lead program visit
www.epa.gov/lead. you can also read a JPM article on understanding the
rule at www.irem.org/rrpr.
