We need to respond to the challenges of climate change, protecting our economy, our environment and achieving energy security! Committing to double the number of Green Buildings by 2020 will a) create jobs b) expand our economy, c) reduce the impact of burning fossil fuel on our environment.
Just like the doubled CAFE standards will cut our fossil fuel energy use in new automobiles in half. This initiative would cut our energy use in new buildings in half.
According to the EPA, buildings account for: 36 percent of total US energy use and 65 percent of electricity consumption (roughly half of this is produced by burning coal). Buildings also generate 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.