Green Initiative
Green Resources
Who are the important Green Building entities?
There are around 80 different state and local organizations and at least two national groups all promoting their own specific guidelines for what constitutes a Green structure.
US Green Building Council’s LEED certification – www.usgbc.org
Certainly the most widely publicized Green certification, the USGBC is a non-profit organization that recognizes sustainable structures through its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. LEED criteria for Green certification are based on positive environmental effects in five categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. LEED was created to facilitate positive results for the environment, as well as for occupant health and the consumer’s bottom line. LEED certifies all types of new and existing structures.
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) – www.nahb.org
NAHB has formulated similar criteria to that of LEED, with additional credits given in the category of Education, Maintenance & Operation. This recognizes the level of education the builder presents to the occupant about the use and upkeep of the structure’s Green components.
MN GreenStar - www.mngreenstar.org
Also a certifying body, MN GreenStar promotes sustainable design and remodeling practices by creating Green Building criteria specific to construction in Minnesota. MN GreenStar certification may help qualify for a federal tax credit.
Here are some helpful links for additional information on Green Buildling