The topic of sustainability is fast emerging as the topic of the year for preservationists.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) are both dedicated to help preservationists. The National Trust for Historic Preservation features current news about preservation activities at the forefront of green.  The California SHPO web site has information about current programs in that state as well as excellent links across the country.

California is pioneering an incentive for energy upgrades for existing buildings, through the passage of AB 811, which expands the assessment criteria for infrastructure improvements to include energy upgrades to private properties.  Local jurisdictions lend the money to pay for energy improvements and then bill the loan repayments monthly through the property.  When the property is sold the new owner assumes the assessment payment. In this way, the cost of the improvement is borne by the current owner who also receives the benefit of the upgrade.  The details of this legislation can be found on “Legislation, Policies, Ordinances” of the Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks.

(Article taken from the Winter, 2009 issue of THE COMMISSIONER, the newsletter of the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions)