Building 'green' reaches a new level

USA Today article predicts 2/3 of builders will be "building green" within next year

Jul 26, 2006

An article published in USA Today on July 26th describes the movment underway in the United States toward green building and environmentally friendly construction solutions.

"A trend that has taken hold across the USA in the past few years is evolving to a new level. What has been a patchwork of green buildings in many cities is expanding to whole communities, whole neighborhoodsAn article published in USA Today on July 26th describes the movment underway in the United States toward green building and environmentally friendly construction solutions." 

The article goes on to say that Green is becoming mainstream, even among the traditional wood frame big production builders. "The big developers, the people who build America, are slow to move," says Charles Lockwood, an environmental and real estate consultant based in Southern California. "They still see a hint of tie-dye and wind chimes in green building. That's changing quickly. There's critical mass." 

Developers and builders aren't joining the green revolution purely out of a sense that it's the right thing to do. They can't afford to be left behind. By year's end, at least 6% of the nation's non-residential construction, a $15 billion chunk of the industry, will be green, says Greg Kats, a green-building consultant in Washington, D.C. Six years ago it was less than 1%.

"If you're not embracing green, you won't be at the table," says Homer Williams, one of South Waterfront's developers. "We do a lot of public-private work around the country, and it's the first question that comes up now." 

The article also states that the cost to build green are not as much as most people think and that small difference is quickly recouped in energy savings, not to mention quality of life. 

To view the entire article click on the link below.

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-26-green-construction_x.htm?POE=click-refer