Municipal Green Building Programs Up 50 Percent

Washington, DC, Nov. 12, 2009--The number of programs to promote energy efficiency and sustainable building materials by U.S. cities has jumped 50 percent from 2007, said the American Institute of Architects Wednesday.

The growth, from 92 cities in 2007 to 138 cities today, reflects the boost in federal spending on energy efficiency in order to cut energy consumption while creating jobs. About 40 percent of the emissions in the country come from buildings, the AIA said in new report.

The AIA's new report, "Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment," outlines the policies and case studies about green building programs in major cities such as Los Angeles, Boston, Nashville and Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Green building" is a broad term and refers to a wide variety of ways to reduce fuel, water and electricity use and cut emissions.

Such efforts could include using more energy-efficient light bulbs and air conditioners, capturing methane gas at landfills, conducting energy audits and choosing materials made from low-carbon sources to insulate or build homes and commercial and government buildings.

The economic slump has spurred the federal government to invest in energy efficiency technologies and projects in an effort to cut emissions and create jobs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $3.2 billion for giving energy efficiency and conservation block grants to local communities. California, for one, has gotten $49.6 million from this program.

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