New initiatives promote green home building.

First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer and David D. Brown, executive director of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), announced two initiatives to promote the construction of green homes and State-owned buildings throughout the State.

Building on her effort to encourage homeowners throughout the State to incorporate simple energy reduction features into their homes, Spitzer announced that the administration will offer legislation that offers a direct incentive to homeowners who build or renovate homes that meet green building criteria. The amount of the incentive will be based on the size of the home, with a cap of $10,000 per home, and help offset the typical 5% increase in construction costs when "green" or "sustainable" features are incorporated.

The Dormitory Authority announced that beginning in 2008, all new State construction projects and major renovations managed by the Dormitory Authority will meet LEED standards established by the United States Green Building Council.

Both announcements are the latest initiatives in Governor Spitzer's energy and environmental agenda. Earlier this year, the Governor unveiled his "15x15" plan to reduce energy use by 15% from forecasted levels by the year 2015 through new energy efficiency programs intended to reduce energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution.

"Buildings are part of the problem of climate change, but they can also be part of the solution if they meet a higher standard for environmental sustainability," said Silda Wall Spitzer. "This legislation offers an economic incentive to everyday New Yorkers who would like to make their homes more energy efficient, but are concerned about higher construction costs.

Buildings are responsible for 39% of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in the United States. Residential homes alone are responsible for 22 percent. The United States Green Building Council estimates that LEED certification for homes reduces energy use by 2560% and saves 2.5-5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. A typical LEED commercial building reduces energy use by 32%.

Earlier this year, the first lady announced her "Greening the Mansion" initiative--an effort to make the Governor's Mansion in Albany a green building. She also declared that green buildings would be one of her top policy priorities as first lady. NYSERDA will develop the eligibility criteria using LEED standards as a model.

The Dormitory Authority has committed to registering its building projects with the United States Green Building Council and applying for Silver LEED certification for all of its major new construction work beginning in 2008. The four LEED rating levels, from lowest to highest, are Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The minimal upfront costs of building green will ultimately be recouped in energy and water savings, thus providing long term savings for the State and its taxpayers.