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<p><b><u><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>Green Homes Web Site
Launched</span></font></u></b><b><u><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>On Nov. 13, the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC) announced the launch of a new Web site that will give
homeowners, homebuyers, renters, landlords and others the tools they need to
ensure their homes are as healthy and environmentally friendly as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>"As Americans learn
more about the importance of their actions on the health of their families and
future generations, living a greener life becomes more vital," said Rick
Fedrizzi, USGBC president and CEO. "Where better to start than in the
home?"<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>The Green Home Guide, <a
href="http://www.greenhomeguide.org" target=NEW><font color=maroon><span
style='color:maroon'>http://www.greenhomeguide.org</span></font></a>, details
the ways green homes can benefit people's health and pocketbooks, as well as
reduce negative impacts on the community and the world. Green homes use, on
average, 40 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than conventional
homes, according to the USGBC. Green homes also make use of safe materials,
such as paints and cleaning products that don't emit harmful chemicals into the
air. They are built with a focus on carefully selected materials -- materials
that are recycled, locally produced and created from sustainably grown,
renewable resources.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>The Green Home Guide was
developed by USGBC with the support of Newland Communities, a planned community
developer. "Our alliance with USGBC is a perfect fit for us," said
LaDonna Monsees, president and CEO, Newland Communities. "We are attempting
to incorporate sustainability into everything we do and educating consumers is
a top priority. If consumers are educated and have access to all of the
information they need, they will be able to make smart, healthy and sustainable
decisions."<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>The newly launched Web site
illustrates how families have gone green with profiles of homes that have been
certified under the USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design®
(LEED) for Homes rating system. It offers details on the LEED for Homes system,
including help in finding LEED builders and providers nearby. It includes
checklists not only for new homes but also for renovating an existing home and
retrofitting the home you live in now.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>Increasingly, green homes
are becoming a key part of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>
homebuilding market. They are present in all 50 states, according to the USGBC.
Of the 15 million homes that have been built in the last 10 years, USGBC
estimates that only about 15,000 of those homes are certified through a green
home program. There are currently 350 LEED-certified homes and more than 10,000
in the LEED process.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'>For additional articles
related to green homes, go to <a
href="http://www.stevenspublishing.com/stevens/EPPub.Nsf/0364b6cbeb76b025862567110057705d/59b21c0e1361b25586257284004f7411?OpenDocument"
target=NEW><font color=maroon><span style='color:maroon'>"NAHB, ICC to
Collaborate on Standard for Residential Green Buildings."</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=maroon face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:maroon;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
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