Green Construction and Sustainable Design White Papers

Just as many of you, I have long been fascinated by mathematics, geology, physics, and heavy equipment. I thought everyone was. Believe it or not, there are people who are not moved by math, science and thundering iron.

Multiple studies have concluded that about 31.5 million tons of construction waste are produced in the United States annually. Building operations consume approximately 70 percent of all the electricity and 40 to 48 percent of all energy used in the United States, produce one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, create storm water runoff and contribute to urban heat islands. Building construction uses enormous amounts of wood, asphalt, concrete, glass, metal, and plastic. Buildings also develop their own indoor environments that can present an array of health challenges. Where and how buildings are built affects wildlife habitat and corridors and the hydrologic cycle, while influencing the overall quality of human community life.

Have you heard alot about sustainable design and LEED, but are not sure you cleary understand what each of them is?

Sustainable design is design that reduces the possible negative effects on the environment as far as possible and makes most of the social and economic benefits. Though there is no widely accepted definition, the main components are clear: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future and the promotion of biodiversity, renewability and resource productivity.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a voluntary third party rating system where credits are earned for satisfying specified green building criteria. This program was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Until recently cost has been one of the biggest obstacles to developing green buildings. While the costs of developing green buildings are beginning to approach those of traditional buildings, new tax credit and financial incentive programs also are helping to make green building projects more attractive. The federal government and various states are discovering that high performance buildings, including both new construction and retrofits of existing buildings, are not only good for the environment but also generate economic benefits by reducing building operations and maintenance costs. Reflecting this new understanding, a variety of state and federal legislation has been passed that provides a mixture of tax incentives, rebates, and other financial assistance to encourage additional growth in the rapidly developing green building industry.