Building Green Resource Links

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children"
~Native American Proverb

Government Programs

• Washington Incentives for Renewable Energy - A comprehensive source of information on statewide incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency: Federal grants, loans, tax credits, and funding opportunities.
• US Green Building council - LEED certification requirements
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Guides to State and Local Green Building programs as well as national funding web sites.
• City of Seattle - Department of Planning and Development designed to assist the user in implementing Green design into projects.
• King County - Resource for Green Building tools ranging from case studies to technical reference and grant program.

Green Building Organizations

• Cascadia Region Green Building Council - Conceived to promote the design, construction, and operation of buildings in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live.
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) - NAHB is a Washington, D.C. based trade association, whose mission is to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry.

Material Selection

• Green-Spec directory - The 7th edition of the GreenSpec Directory includes information on over 2,000 green building products.
• Toxic Materials - Information on toxic materials and supplies that have a negative impact on indoor air quality.

Recycling Materials

• The RE-Store – The Re-Store serves the greater Puget Sound region with used building materials and mobile removal services.
• Washington State Dept. of Ecology - Find recycling networks within the region.
• King County Recycling Page - Find recycling networks in your area.

Site Assessment

• Washington State Department of Ecology - Find environmental related information applicable to your building site.

Verification Services

• LEED - U.S. Green Building Council program that certifies the qualifications for earned incentives in building design.
• ENERGY STAR - To earn the ENERGY STAR RATING, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.