Federal Spending and Green Buildings

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), in 2008,

buildings in the United States consumed almost 40 percent of the

nation's energy and emitted about 39 percent of its carbon dioxide, a

greenhouse gas recognized as a major contributor to climate change.

[Footnote 1] In addition, DOE reports that the approximately 30

million to 35 million tons of construction, renovation, and demolition

waste produced annually in the nation accounts for about 24 percent of

municipal solid waste, although as much as 95 percent of this waste

could be recycled. Furthermore, according to the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to indoor air pollutants, such as

radon and formaldehyde, can lead to harmful health effects, from

headaches to respiratory diseases.

More recently, the federal government has also focused on promoting

green building practices in the nonfederal sector. For example, the

Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided tax credits for home improvements

that increase energy efficiency and tax deductions for commercial

buildings that meet specific efficiency standards; the Energy

Independence and Security Act of 2007 authorized $1.52 billion over 10

years, starting in fiscal year 2008, for DOE's efforts to promote

commercial green building in partnership with other federal, as well

as nonfederal, entities; and the American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 provided at least $13 billion to foster

green building in the nonfederal sector through various agency

initiatives, such as DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program--which is

designed to make long-term energy-efficiency improvements to the homes

of low-income families. Weatherization includes

installing high-efficiency boilers, insulation, and energy-efficient

windows.

According to our analysis, over two-thirds (64) of the 94 initiatives

foster green building directly--that is, one of their primary purposes

is to foster green building through one or more green building

elements. For example, EPA's Indoor Environments Program is intended

to provide resources to promote and protect occupants' health while

saving energy and money.

According to our analysis of questionnaire responses, agencies are

implementing many of the initiatives we identified because they are

required to by statute.

To help assess the results of investments in individual federal

initiatives to foster green building in the nonfederal sector, as well

as their combined results, we recommend that the Secretaries of Energy

and of Housing and Urban Development work with the Administrator of

EPA in leading an effort with other agencies that are implementing

green building initiatives to collaborate on identifying performance

information, such as shared goals and common performance measures, for

green building initiatives for the nonfederal sector. This effort

should include, if necessary, an exploration of the need for

additional legislative or executive authority, such as the authority

to establish a coordinating entity (e.g., an interagency working

group).

Works Referenced:

http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586023.html