From the Editor
The debate rages – is there an added cost to using green strategies and building products in a facility? Of course, the answer is much more multifaceted than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The answer depends on several factors: Is this your first green project? What’s the scale – are you building a brand new LEED-certified building or just implementing a green cleaning program in an existing building? Is the project energy-related? And how exactly do you define ‘cost’?

The good news is that, unlike as recently as five years ago, the answer to whether green costs more, is almost never an unequivocal and resounding ‘yes’. As industry expertise grows, costs of green strategies and products fall in reverse proportion. And for many green projects, especially those with an energy component, a return on investment from energy savings may mean that a higher first cost is returned. As energy prices rise and with an almost calculable monetary value related to green PR these days, more and more facility executives are willing to accept a slightly higher first cost. Are you? What is your experience with the cost of green?

Best,

Greg Zimmerman, Editor

Green Strategies
Do Green Buildings Cost More?
In most cases, firsts costs are higher. But the gap is narrowing — and it can sometimes be eliminated.

In the News
Report: Economic Gains From Energy-Efficiency Programs Underestimated
A 20 percent efficiency gain by 2030 could provide an estimated 800,000 net jobs, while a 30 percent efficiency improvement might generate as many as 1.3 million net jobs. This according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Green Toolkit
Making Green Buildings Affordable
This fantastic, free 30-minute podcast with William D. Browning, an expert in energy-efficient design and founder of the U.S. Green Building Council, and Jamy Bacchus, a consultant focusing on energy modeling and sustainability for the built environment, gives listeners tips and insight on how to reduce the cost of sustainable buildings. There’s plenty of great information here, for both the novice and the expert. One of the more interesting segments is Browning talking about making the White House green.
(To start the podcast, click on the little play button.)

Green Pulse
For green measures you’ve implemented, what has been the cost comparison to traditional facility strategies?
- Green cost more in the long-term
- Green cost more, but that’s okay because green has an attractive ROI
- No difference in cost
- Traditional facility strategies cost more

Click here to answer and view results.

GreenTech Conference & Exposition
Get Up to Speed on Green Issues for Free
The Facility Decisions Conference and Expo (September 16-17, Las Vegas) includes many free educational sessions on making your buildings more greener. Register today for such free sessions as:

*Ultra-Efficient HVAC Systems

*Water Efficiency for Facilities in Water Scarce Environments

*IAQ's Role in Sustainability

*High Level Results: Roofing Designs for Maximum Sustainability

*What is This Thing Called LEED?

*Green Cleaning: A Roadmap to Implementation

*LED Lighting for Today and Tomorrow

See all the conference sessions at Facility Decisions. Choose from 50 sessions and build the training that meets your needs.