Green Pork

Whether or not you agree with the bailout package signed into law this week by President Bush after overwhelming support from the Senate and better-late-than-never support from the House, you might be happy to know that some of the pork thrown into it includes what some are saying is the largest renewable energy legislation in history. EcoGeek.com reports that this new legislation will create as many as 440,000 permanent jobs in the solar sector, 35 gigawatts of renewable electricity, and foster the growth of a $300 billion market for solar energy.

The bill extends for 8 years the 30% tax credit for rsidential and commercial solar installations, and it eliminates the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations. It also authorizes $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.

Al Gore and the rest at Generation Investment Management must be having quite a laugh. Could this financial bailout help leverage us into a green future?

(Note: In the middle of September, Generation did their small part to help the banking industry by investing close to $14 million in New Resource Bank, an innovative bank that seeks to deliver a new standard of customer service while building sustainable resources. This second equity offering expanded the bank's equity capital base by more than 75%. For more go to generationim.com.)

Briar Chapel Grand Opening

There is something new on the market and it's really green. On Saturday, Newland Communities unveiled the community that Chatham County, North Carolina, has been anticipating for years. Briar Chapel, a 1600-acre new-home community just outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has been intentionally designed to inhabit the land without inhibiting its true nature. Nine hundred of the 1600 acres will be left as open space with extensve trails, natural woodlands and creeks, and all homes will be built to Green Buiding Initiative standards.

"We are proud of the established and high quality builder team at Briar Chapel. We were diligent in our selection of builders with high standards and a focus on building sustainable, environmentally responsible homes," said Mitch Barron, vice president of operations for Newland Communities. "These builders will help us realize our responsibility to make Briar Chapel an enduring and healthy community and ensure Briar Chapel is on the forefront of the Triangle's green communities."

The list of amenities is a panacea for the environmentally conscious home seekers and and a real find as well for those simply looking for a village of charming and inviting neighborhoods. Consider:

• Residents club within walking distance: gathering rooms, fitness facility, catering kitchen, numerous outdoor entertainment areas, two pools, cabanas, basketball and tennis courts
• Community park with soccer, football and baseball fields
• Numerous neighborhood parks, natural sanctuaries and open spaces
• Extensive greenway system with nature trails, mountain bike trails, boardwalks, and paved paths
• Natural amphitheatre
• Amenity programming: Environmental education, Historical education, Health and wellness, Local arts and culture, Green Living lending library
• Woods Charter School on site
• Site for county middle school
• Village civic center with proposed civic buildings, restaurant and retail space, recreational areas, and office space

Right now, home prices range from the low $200,000s to the high $600,000s. Custom homes are offered by a select group of local custom builders who make up the Chatham Builder Guild. If you're in the market, discount pricing will be in effect on many homes during the Parade of Homes through the end of October. For more information, call 919-538-6491.