SBIC is NAHB’s Green Advocate of the Year

Washington, DC, March 23, 2006--The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) was named Green Advocate of the Year in the Group category at the 2006 National Green Building Awards Gala on March 12. The awards were presented during the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Annual National Green Building Conference in Albuquerque, N.M. The Council was recognized for driving significant changes in energy and resource efficient new home construction through its outreach, advocacy, and educational initiatives. “As consumers show greater interest in homes that employ energy efficiency, resource conservation, and sustainable building techniques, our award winners have helped move green building beyond a niche market to mainstream builders,” said NAHB Green Building Subcommittee chairman Ray Tonjes. “What our winners bring to traditional construction is a strong knowledge of green building science and expertise in construction design or education so that all home builders and home buyers can benefit.” Helen English, executive director of the Council, accepted the award on behalf of SBIC and reiterated a few of the many contributions SBIC has made over the years to NAHB’s programs. Michigan builder and SBIC board member, Lee Kitson praised SBIC for helping move NAHB forward in mainstreaming green home design and building. Throughout its residential program, SBIC has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the principles of “green building.” Back in 2001, the SBIC Green Building Guidelines inclulded: - Meeting the Demand for Low-energy, Resource-efficient Homes primer was developed in partnership with staff and members of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee. It is continually updated by members of both organizations. In 2005, the Council brought a companion Green Building Guidelines seminar series to hundreds of home builders across the nation by effectively partnering with local NAHB home builders associations (HBAs) and other grass roots organizations. In addition to its core Green Building Guidelines curriculum, the council has participated in a variety of special initiatives. In late 2004, SBIC was invited to provide a witness at a hearing on “The Impact of Federal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy R&D Programs” for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy Subcommittee / Committee on Science. SBIC member Paul Konove, president of Chatham County, Inc., in Pittsboro, North Carolina, presented the testimony on behalf of the Council. Paul is an NAHB member and a previous winner of NAHB’s Energy Value in Housing Awards. In January of 2005, SBIC, NAHB, and the U.S. Department of Energy joined as Anchor Sponsors of Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big Showhouse, at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida. Many of the principles found in SBIC’s Green Building Guidelines were on display in the home and more than 6,000 visitors toured the house in a four day period. SBIC members and staff also volunteered on NAHB’s Stakeholder Committee as they developed their “Model Green Home Building Guidelines.” Although the name sounds like SBIC’s book, the NAHB document is designed to help HBAs develop their own customized green home building programs. “This award clearly validates SBIC’s contribution as an industry leader and distinguishes us from the many other ‘green’ organizations. Our relationships with NAHB will continue to be critical as we educate and advocate for ‘Greening the American Dream,’” said Helen English. SBIC is encouraged by the exposure that residential sustainable building is getting and hopes for more of it to make an even greater impact. To learn more about the council’s residential program visit: http://sbicouncil.org/prog_res.htm. SBIC member Carl Seville of Decatur, Ga., won the award for best Green Remodeled Home of the Year.

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