Green Buildings
Issue Summary
U.S. EPA
Other Federal Agencies
States
Organizations/Non-Government Programs
Publications
Databases and Tools
Financial Assistance
Issue
Summary
Constructing and
operating buildings requires energy, water, and materials and creates
significant amounts of waste. Where and how they are built affects
the ecosystems around us in countless ways. And the buildings
themselves create new indoor environments that present new
environmental problems and challenges.
As the
environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field
called green building is arising to reduce that
impact at the source. Green or sustainable building is the practice
of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of
construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition.
This section of the compliance center will provide links to green
building activities and related documents covering various topics,
such as:
- Energy: Designing and operating buildings to use energy efficiently and to
use renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, and biomass.
- Water: Designing
and operating buildings to use water efficiently.
- Materials: Using
building materials that, in comparison to competing brands, have a
reduced effect on the environment throughout their life cycle (e.g.
recycled content, low toxicity, energy efficiency, biodegradability
and/or durability).
- Waste: Reducing
the waste from construction, remodeling and demolition.
- Indoor Environment: Designing and operating buildings that are healthy for their
occupants.
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U.S. EPA
EPA
Green Building Website. Portal to numerous
EPA websites covering green building issues including Energy Star,
Indoor Air, Water, C&D Debris, Brownfields, Smart Growth and
more.
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States
Green
Building State Locator. This resource identifies
state-specific information.
National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) States Collaborative. A Collaborative to support states in developing community solar deployment goals, as well as tracking and reporting progress towards these goals.
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Organizations/Non-Government
Programs
US
Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding
sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 12,000
organizations from across the building industry that are working to
advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable
and healthy places to live and work.
Florida
Green Building Coalition. The FGBC Green Local
Government Standard designates Green Cities and Green Counties for
outstanding environmental stewardship.
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Publications
Green
Building Resources. Annotated links to Green Building
resources covering general information, energy efficiency, water
usage, building materials, indoor environments, building sectors,
deconstruction/recycling building materials, specifications/codes,
organizations, state-specific information, low impact development,
landscaping, directories and design guides.
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Databases and Tools
High Performance Buildings Database. In this online resource, you can explore completed studies that cover areas including design processes, energy and renewable energy performance, and other green building features.
The case studies are presented through the High Performance Buildings Database, a tool sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that seeks to improve building performance and measuring methods.
USBC
Local Chapter Locator. USGBC Chapters provide local
green building resources, education and leadership opportunities.
Get involved in your local chapter to connect with green building
experts in your area; share strategies, resources, and best
practices; tour green building projects and more.
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Financial Assistance
EPA
Green Building Funding Opportunities. Numerous sources
of funding for green building are available at the national, state
and local levels for homeowners, industry, government organizations
and nonprofits.
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