U.S. Green Building Council Urges Congressional Action on Green Homes Bill In Testimony

GREEN Act of 2009 Would Help Homeowners Use Less Energy to Save Money, Reduce Environmental Impact

Washington, DC - June 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) urged Congress to pass the GREEN Act of 2009 to help homeowners build and remodel their homes in ways that save energy, thereby reducing their energy costs and their environmental impact. Specifically, the USGBC cited the bill’s assistance for middle and low-income homeowners. Green building is critical to the nation’s future economy, energy security and environment – buildings account for 40% of U.S. energy consumption and 39% of CO2 emissions. And greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

Doug Gatlin, Vice President of Market Development for USGBC, spoke before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

He told the committee that the GREEN Act “sends a powerful message to the rest of the housing industry, incentivizes private businesses to become experts in green building generally, and ensures that lowincome families will maintain access to decent, safe and affordable housing, even as our society’s standards for what is decent and safe continue to rise.”

The GREEN (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) Act (H.R. 2336), provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers who build, buy or remodel their homes in ways that improve energy efficiency. The bill also increases energy efficiency standards for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) owned and assisted housing.

“Green building offers a practical solution and an opportunity for the building community to lend its weight to tackling challenges facing society today,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC. “The GREEN Act will help provide access for everyone to affordable, safe and healthy housing, while saving natural resources and stimulating the economy.”

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) reintroduced the GREEN Act, which includes a key financing provision by Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) in the House of Representatives, in May 2009. The Act passed the full House of Representatives as part of H.R. 6899, the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act in September 2009 but the Senate did not take action on the legislation.

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U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

Contact: Ashley Katz
Communications Manager, USGBC
202.742.3738

Follow us on Twitter at @USGBC

Tagged as: building, green, Green Act, green building, HUD, USGBC

 

 

 

USGBC - U.S. Green Building Council

HUD - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

NAR - National Association of REALTOR

RealtyTrac

FHFA - Federal Housing Finance Agency

Freddie Mac

MBA - Mortgage Bankers Association