Wow...that was some announcement made by City Commissioner Dan Salzman this week in Chicago! The Commissioner is proposing an ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions beginning 2010. Carbon fee and inspection requirements proposed would levy taxes on builders meeting the energy efficiency requirements of the Oregon building code, already one of the toughest in the nation, but would reward developers who make buildings that save at least 45 percent more energy than this code requires.

Meetings will be held with Portland residents in December 2007 to gain input before the proposal goes before the City Council in January 2008.

Nothing like a little healthy competition to "out-Green" other environmentally conscious cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Austin and Chicago! 

The Rogue Valley will hopefully pick up on Portland's example and continue to promote these higher standards. If you would like to join this effort, go to http://buildgreenroguevalley.org/ to get information on how to join this local chapter.

If you are already planning to build your home to Earth Advantage and/or L.E.E.D. Standards, Quality Home Loans, Inc. would like to reward your energy efficient efforts by offering you our special reduced costs for homeowners obtaining their construction and/or permanent takeout financing through us in our continuing support for our environmentally conscious homeowners Building Green in the Rogue Valley.

Let's keep supporting these efforts!

Karen Cooper - Mortgage Consultant OR/CA www.Quality4Loans.com