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   - Clean Energy
      • Bioenergy
      • Wind
      • Solar
      • Landfill Gas
      • Hydropower
      • Fuel Cells
      • Microturbines
   - Energy Efficiency
      • High Performance
        Buildings
      • EnergySTAR
      • Industrial
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    High Performance Buildings

The design, construction, and maintenance of buildings has a tremendous impact on our environment and our natural resources. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) estimates that there are more than 76 million residential buildings and nearly 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S. today. These buildings together use one-third of all the energy consumed in the U.S., and two-thirds of all electricity.

EREN estimates that commercially available, cost-effective energy technologies could reduce overall energy consumption in the U.S. by as much as one-third--worth some $343 billion. There are many opportunities to make buildings cleaner. For example, if only 10 percent of homes in the U.S. used solar water-heating systems, the U.S. would avoid 8.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year. Utilization of energy-efficient HVAC, lighting, windows, and building equipment that meet ENERGY STAR® specifications can save even more.

Links

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC is a coalition that is focused on accelerating the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards. The USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™. LEED™ is a self-assessing system designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings.

Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) maintains this web site. The site provides a nice summary on green buildings and green development as well as a wide array of sustainable energy topics.

Green Building Alliance (GBA). GBA is a non-profit organization that works to improve the economic, social and environmental performance of the Pittsburgh region through the integration of green building practices into regional development projects.

Rebuild America. Rebuild America is a growing network of community-driven voluntary partnerships that foster energy efficiency and renewable energy in commercial, government and public-housing buildings.