Federal Green Building Incentives In the Works?

In mid-May, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming took testimony from a number of individuals at a hearing called "Building Green, Saving Green: Constructing Sustainable and Energy Efficient Buildings."  The Committee then urged Congress to consider incentives and policies that would encourage energy efficiency in buildings, noting that "the numerous definitions of green buildings can lead to confusion, inaction or ineffective policy."  The lack of a universal green building standard (though the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") standard is at the forefront) has resulted in a piecemeal adoption of green building incentives in a number of different jurisdictions at various levels of government.  Some of these programs have been successful in encouraging green building, but some believe that more and better state and/or federal incentives (such as tax credits) are the best way to encourage green building practices.

 

Local examples of green building incentives include Seattle's density bonus incentive for commercial or residential projects achieving a LEED Silver rating or higher.  Seattle provides other incentives for residential projects under its built green program, and King County provides grants for some projects meeting certain LEED certifications.