By Joshua M. Kaplowitz, Esq. & Mahari Bailey, Esq. 

After just a few weeks, it is clear that the Obama Administration has ambitious plans for the green building industry.  The recently passed economic stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), contains over $25 billion in funding for energy efficiency in federal buildings, schools and homes—a sizeable sum, though somewhat less than in earlier versions of the bill.  The President has also sent strong signals that the Federal Government intends to play an active role in raising efficiency standards and incentivizing green building in the private sector; in fact, even more green building legislation is already on the table.  This “Green Rush” could present enormous economic opportunities for developers, contractors and building owners.  Of course, with opportunity comes risk, including a number of legal hurdles and pitfalls that companies and industries must avoid as they jockey for position in the upcoming Green Rush. » Read the rest of this entry «