Environmental Issues, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, "Green" Building, & EEM's (Energy Efficiency Mortgages) Environmental Issues Asbestos, mold, lead, drinking water, and indoor air quality are some of the most important factors affecting health issues in real property. Business and property owners should be aware of these issues as they can affect the desirability and marketability of a property or business. Energy Efficiency The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have created a standard for energy efficiency called Energy Star. Commercial and residential buildings can be analyzed and given a rating based on the energy efficiency, and upon meeting Federal standards could qualify for special financing and national recognition. Rebates, tax credits, grants and other incentives are available for those who take advantage of some energy efficiency measures. Renewable Energy Solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal are some of the most commonly harnessed renewable energy resources on earth today. Contrary to consuming products such as petroleum, diesel, and coal, renewable energy does not deplete a finite supply of natural resources. Exploring and considering can be both environmentally-friendly and cost-effective. For example, a property tied to the grid generating renewable energy above the necessary usage may be able to "sell" energy units back to the power company, changing utlities from an expense to a source of income. "Green" Building "Green" building refers to construction or development using materials, systems, and processes that are considered sustainable or environmentally-friendly. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the EPA have created several resources for eco-concious building systems, the most commonly known as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is the benchmark for commercial and residential buildings. "Green" building measures include using low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), recycled materials, water efficiency systems, sustainable sites, and more. The Sierra Green Building Association (SIGBA) is an excellent resource for local "green" building and construction. EEM's (Energy Efficiency Mortgages) Energy-Efficient Mortgages are some of the most advantageous, yet under-utilized programs on the market. EEM's are often available with no extra cost, and sometimes offer better interest rates than conventional loans. The addition of energy efficient features can add up to 15% to the principal loan amount for a home purchase or refinance, and the utility costs savings typically outweigh the difference in princial and interest. EEM's also allow for a higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratio than traditional loans, and a recent EPA analysis found that almost 7% more borrowers would qualify for financing through EEM's.