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Green Buildings

Energy costs are skyrocketing and will continue to increase.
Between 2003 and 2005, the price of heating oil increased 51 percent, gasoline increased 47 percent, diesel increased 39 percent, and natural gas increased 37 percent.1 Heating costs for the winter of 2005-2006 jumped by 30 to 40 percent compared to the previous year. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that energy prices will likely continue to rise because of tight worldwide supply and increased U.S. demand.2 In 2006, the United States is expected to consume more than 100 quadrillion BTUs of energy—over one-sixth of the energy consumption of the entire world.3
The generation of energy causes pollution and contributes to global warming.
Power generating plants are the single worst industrial contributor to air pollution in the United States, pouring sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and mercury, as well as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, into our atmosphere.4 Greenhouse gases absorb sunlight that reflects off the Earth’s surface, creating a blanket of heated gas around the Earth. A rapid increase in greenhouse gases is causing climate change around the world, including global warming, altered weather patterns, and more cases of severe weather.
Buildings account for 39 percent of total energy use and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.5
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that buildings have a huge impact on our consumption of energy and the quality of our environment. In addition to overall energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, the EPA reports that buildings account for 68 percent of total electricity consumption and 12 percent of total water consumption in the United States.6 If we want to get energy use and pollution under control, we must focus on standards for new and existing buildings.
Green building standards help preserve the environment.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a flexible, non-bureaucratic standard for the construction and maintenance of new or existing buildings. LEED standards were developed by the U.S. Green Buildings Council—which represents all segments of the building industry—and emphasize energy and water savings, use of recycled materials, and indoor air quality.
Green building standards save money for taxpayers.
Green buildings cut energy costs by 30 percent, and water costs by 20 percent.7 A study in California found that for a $5 million project, a $100,000 investment in green building features results in a $1 million savings over the life of the building.8 As energy prices rise, savings from green buildings will increase. If well planned, there is no significant difference in construction costs for LEED-compliant buildings versus non-LEED buildings.9
Green buildings boost the performance of workers and students.
The improved air quality and increased natural sunlight in green buildings have a positive impact on both psychological and physical health. Green buildings are proven to improve student performance and reduce worker absenteeism.10 A Pittsburgh, PA company that adopted LEED standards experienced an 83 percent reduction in voluntary employee termination.11
Green building standards do not burden architects or builders.
LEED standards use a point system to measure 34 criteria and denote varying degrees of efficiency and environmental impact. A rating of platinum, gold, silver or basic is granted, depending on the number of points scored. The point system means that a builder or architect can achieve LEED standards in different ways. Points are earned for meeting specific goals in energy efficiency, water use, building materials, and ventilation.12
Several states have enacted high-performance green building laws.
Washington’s 2005 law, the first in the country, requires that new buildings and renovations that exceed 5,000 square feet must meet LEED standards. Arizona, Hawaii and Utah enacted similar efficiency standard laws in 2006. Also in 2006, the Wisconsin governor issued an executive order requiring higher energy efficiency standards in state buildings. Four more states (MD, NJ, NY, OR) offer tax incentives for buildings with greater energy efficiency.
Endnotes
  1. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, “Short-Term Energy Outlook,” November 8, 2005.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Energy Information Administration, “Annual Energy Outlook 2006,” U.S. Department of Energy, Feburary 2006.
  4. Natural Resources Defense Council, “Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States,” 2002.
  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Green Buildings: Why Build Green?” 2005.
  6. Ibid.
  7. Office of the Governor of Washington, “Gov. Gregoire signs bill for first-in-the-nation environmental building standards,” April 8, 2005.
  8. Greg Katz, “The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force,” October 2003.
  9. Davis Langdon Seah International, “Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology,” July 2004.
  10. For studies, see U.S. Green Building Council, “Research: Productivity,” 2005.
  11. “The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force.”
  12. U.S. Green Buildings Council, “LEED-NC: Green Building Rating System for New Construction or Major Renovations, Version 2.2,” October 2005.
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