Obama's Green Building Initiative to Create Jobs, Save Energy and Save Money
Words: Dan Kamys Courtesy of USBGC
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is endorsing a key element of President Obama’s plan to “win the future” by making America’s commercial buildings more energy- and resource-efficient over the next decade. The President's plan, Better Buildings Initiative, catalyzes private-sector investment through a series of incentives to upgrade offices, stores, schools and universities, hospitals and other commercial and municipal buildings.
“For all of those committed to the idea that green buildings can create jobs, save energy and save money, this is a great day, and the entire
green building movement is incredibly grateful for President Obama's leadership in this critical step forward for America. Major steps like these are necessary to address the challenges facing our environment,” says USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chair Rick Fedrizzi.
“We know that green buildings can and should be front and center of any credible jobs creation program," he continues. “The jobs supported by the green building industry can’t be outsourced, and they are jobs that frequently can build on skills learned in the manufacturing sector.”
“The 5 million+
commercial buildings and the 120 million existing homes in the United States today are, by and large, squandering away precious energy and resources. With policies like the one introduced by the President today, our homes, hospitals, schools and offices can be turned into structures that will lessen our dependence on fossil fuel, increasing national security," says Jason Hartke, VP of national policy. "This also frees up those wasted dollars for growth in the private sector and for groceries in America’s households. We are laser-focused in doing what we can to move this important initiative forward as fast as possible.”
Leadership companies and organizations across America are already advancing the goals of the President’s initiative using USGBC's LEED
green building program to measure, manage and verify the energy and resource savings that President Obama has demanded and by furthering USGBC's mission as corporate members.
"With the incentives the President has outlined, we are confident that these organizations are ready to take green building to unprecedented scale," says Fedrizzi.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.