April/May 2009
Go Green, Save Money
C O N T E N T S
Executive Director's Corner: Standing with Giants, by Deb Kleinman
Special: Remembering Greg Franta, by Annette Stelmack
LEED: Aardex Receives Second Platinum LEED Certification from the USGBC, by Mike Hehir
Energy Incentives: Xcel Announces New Incentives, by Erine Mathe
Sustainable Development: Grassroots Efforts Support a Sustainable Ethic, by Sarah Martinez
Government: Greening the Government: State Leads by Example, by Angie Fyfe
Case Study: Extracting Value From NAIOP's Highly Criticized Building Cost Report, by Courtney France
Go Green, Save Money: Rep. Perlmutter Legislation Promotes Going Green To Save Green, by Christopher Votoupal
Colorado Building Green is the official newsletter of the U.S. Green Building Council – Colorado Chapter, and is published bi-monthly. If you are interested in submiting a story, ideas or other information for publication, please contact the editor at sarah@usgbccolorado.org
Rep. Perlmutter Legislation Promotoes Going Green To Save Green
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) will be introducing his G.R.E.E.N. Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) in the 111th Congress after the April district work period.
By Christopher D. Votoupal, Deputy Press Secretary,Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-07)
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U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) will be introducing his G.R.E.E.N. Act (Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) in the 111th Congress after the April district work period. The GREEN Act passed the House of Representatives in 2008 as part of HR 6899, the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act but stalled in the Senate.
“This bill provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers, who build, buy or remodel their homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency. The GREEN Act proves it is easy to be green and will help revitalize our economy by making energy efficiency practices more affordable, accessible and achievable by consumers, businesses and government entities. In order to save green, we must go green. I am confident the GREEN Act will pass the House and Senate and President Obama will sign it into law. This bill is another tool to move our country toward energy conservation and sustainable development,” stated Perlmutter.
Listed below are some details of the GREEN Act / Final language is still in progress:
- Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac: Will be required to finance energy efficient and location efficient mortgages as part of their goals to satisfy federal guidelines. They will receive additional credit (125%) if they comply with energy efficiency goals and supports green housing standards.
- Urban Development: Similar to the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program the legislation creates a Residential Energy Efficient Block Grant Program. Grants shall be given to local communities and states to carry out energy efficiency improvements in new and existing single and multifamily housing units.
- Financial & Banking Institutions: Creates green banking centers to provide consumers information on obtaining a mortgage or loan which rewards energy efficient improvements. Alters the Community Reinvestment Act by allowing financial institutions to consider energy efficiency improvements made by low income, first time and other home buyers when appraising and assessing the home or building.
Rep. Perlmutter is a member of the House Financial Services and Rules Committees. The GREEN Act has broad support from consumers, industry, financial institutions, architects and developers.