The Sustainable Sites Initiative www.sustainablesites.org invites public comment on the new Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008. The U.S. Green Building Council, a major stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating the benchmarks into future versions of the LEEDŽ Green Building Rating System. This important milestone builds on the initial "Standards and Guidelines: Preliminary Report" released in November of 2008 and will focus on measuring a site's ability to protect, restore and regenerate sites by harnessing ecosystem services- benefits provided by natural ecosystems such as cleaner air and water, climate regulation and health benefits. Follow the link to find the new draft containing over 50 new proposed prerequisites and credits ranging from site selection to sustainable maintenance practices. The public comment period will close January 20, 2009. Read the report

Earlier this month the Austin City council passed the energy conservation ordinance, a plan that requires homeowners to perform and disclose results of an energy audit prior to selling their home. Earlier this year the Mayor tasked the Energy Efficiency Retrofits Task Force to identify and recommend City Code revisions for cost effective and energy efficient retrofits to Austin's homes and buildings. The task force recommendations initially ran into resistance from the Austin Board of Realtors who argued that the initial recommendations amounted to "punitive mandates" against homeowners. But, in a refreshing display of civic compromise, the opposing parties were able to come together and agree to a plan that the Austin City Council passed with a unanimous vote. To see the complete plan by the Energy Efficiency Retrofits Task Force click here. For a look at the final ordinance check out items 47 and 48 here.