“Green” buildings, once just a catch phrase, are quickly becoming a booming industry. Advancements in technology are not only making it easier to go green by saving energy but it’s more economical as well. Many existing buildings are undergoing energy efficiency improvements to become “green” and new buildings are being built green from the ground up. As green building technologies set a new standard a lot of states and local governments are adjusting their local state laws to require a certain level of green.
But it is not just the government. An industry group, the US Green Buildings Council devised “The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” or LEED Green Building Rating System to designate buildings that meet green standards in design, construction and operation. They are also working on new standards for existing buildings, “LEED EB,” so facilities that implement enough of its criteria, can win the prestigious certification. To date, five percent of new commercial buildings in the US meet these standards; and more than six thousand buildings are registered or certified as LEED projects, with states like California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Illinois leading the way.
One arena that is quickly becoming a model of choice for many cities, states and businesses across the nation is The Greensboro Coliseum. The Coliseum will receive energy efficient lighting upgrades throughout, water system retrofits, upgrades to the HVAC system, and many other “green” renovations. Once complete, the improvements should reduce electricity use by a quarter and water consumption and natural gas use by more than half.
NOTE: The streaming video file requires
Adobe© Flash Player.
