The Frederick County Builders Association (FCBA) endorses and urges its members to adopt green building practices of the type set forth in the ANSI-approved, NAHB National Green Building Standards, which practices are common to a variety of other broadly recognized green building standards for residential and nonresidential green building and remodeling.  From this endorsement it follows that FCBA, while preferring the NAHB National Green Building Standards, advocates not simply one single standard. Instead FCBA endorses any of a number of green building initiatives which, when voluntarily implemented, serve to promote consumer choices and accomplish market-driven, green benefits.

 

The concept of green building provides a comprehensive approach to land planning and to the design, construction and operation of buildings that employ materials and methods promoting energy efficiency, resource conservation, use of sustainable materials and products, integrated waste management and indoor air quality, with all intended green benefits being specific to the local climate, site conditions and consumer demand. Green building offers many potential benefits to owners of homes and nonresidential buildings by enhancing site development, improving construction quality and building durability, reducing utility and energy costs and creating healthier places to live and work while reducing adverse environmental impacts.

 

FCBA endorses green building practices even as it recognizes that housing affordability can be affected adversely by costs often inherent in achieving green benefits. And, maintaining a steadfast commitment in support of both green building and housing affordability, FCBA Members regard as essential the need to maintain a regulatory environment that provides consumers, property owners and builders with the flexibility to choose from among the most applicable green building practices and standards that correspond to a property owner or home buyer’s individual needs and financial means.

 

Likewise, with respect to nonresidential construction, green building involves additional costs that can affect the financial feasibility and marketability of commercial buildings. For that reason it should be the property owner’s option to weigh the costs-benefits of different green building practices and decide which recommended practices, from among many available, are best suited to respond to market conditions and the expectations of building occupants.

 

As a dynamic construction concept, Green Building already has given rise to several different programs and sets of standards that aspire to similar goals and more such programs are likely as the science of Green Building evolves. To the extent that Green Building practices eventually may become mandated, FCBA regards as imperative that such practices embrace and foster the fullest range of cost-effective choices by consumers and builders and promote innovation in achieving green results.

 

FCBA offers information, training, certification and technical resources to members and encourages them to familiarize consumers and other builders with the benefits of green building and remodeling. FCBA also provides relevant information on its web site to expand public awareness of green building practices and initiatives.