Orlando Real Estate News

WASHINGTON - July 20, 2009 - In testifying before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee last week, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reiterated the significance of green building and reinforced its support for energy efficiency tax credits, block grants and weatherization assistance investment. NAR's office building in Washington, D.C., was the first newly constructed, green certified building in the District of Columbia.

"NAR has taken a number of important steps to raise public awareness about green buildings and their benefits in the marketplace," said Jim Helsel, NAR treasurer. Helsel served as chairman of NAR's Real Property Operations Committee in 2002-03 and oversaw creation and development of the Realtor building, which was certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and awarded the Silver LEED rating by the U.S. Green Building Council when the building opened in 2004.

Helsel noted examples of NAR 'green' support and commitment, including developing a Green designation program to offer advanced training and certification for real estate professionals; undertaking of pilot programs to 'green' local MLSs; and partnering with federal agencies and other organizations to promote green building.

"NAR cleaned and developed an abandoned contaminated site as the home of its D.C. headquarters," Helsel testified. "Fifty percent of the building's energy comes from renewable resources, and 30 percent less water is used compared to other buildings of similar size,' said Helsel.

NAR research finds a considerable and growing market for green buildings, and that voluntary incentive-based approaches spur demand for energy efficiency more than government mandates.

"The federal government plays an important role in the green effort, providing public research, as well as capital and economic incentives," said Helsel. "It is NAR's belief that the government should continue to have a limited role offering incentives and grants to encourage the movement toward energy efficiency. However, we do believe it is important that the government's role continue to be incentive-based only versus mandated and overly regulated processes."

© 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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