The construction industry is experiencing a revolution due to a growing demand for energy efficient buildings incorporating sustainable design and construction principles and practices. "Green" construction raises unique legal issues such as risks associated with failure to achieve certification or other requirements needed for tax or other incentive benefits, failure to meet performance expectations or guarantees, and potentially increased costs without corresponding increased value. Baker & Daniels professionals understand these issues and help clients navigate them to realize the full potential of green construction.
Baker & Daniels is active in the U.S. Green Building Council's Indiana Chapter, a platinum sponsor of the Indiana Building Green Symposium 2008 and several of our professionals are working toward LEED accreditation. We are knowledgeable about green rating systems and certification processes and legislation relating to green building standards. We negotiate and draft construction contracts that allocate risks in a way that reflects each stakeholder's role in achieving green certification and performance, as well as leases that allocate the upfront costs of green construction and the benefits of reduced operations and maintenance costs fairly. We also advise clients with project structuring and dispute management and resolution on green projects.
In addition, Baker & Daniels professionals assist clients with the full range of issues related to sustainable development and renewable energy, including tax credits, rebates and other public and private financial incentives for green construction and/or renewable energy production and carbon and renewable energy credit trading.