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AIA Estimates Bill Creates 140,000 Building Sector Jobs Annually

Contact: John Schneidawind
202-626-7457
johnschneidawind@aia.org

For immediate release:
Washington, D.C. – April 22, 2010 – The American Institute of Architects today commended the House Financial Services Committee for moving the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Act out of Committee. H.R. 2336 is now headed for a floor vote.

“As the United States struggles with a sagging housing market and rising energy prices, now is the time to encourage investments that promote energy independence, grow the economy, and save American homeowners money,’ said AIA President George H. Miller, FAIA. “By including incentives for energy efficiency into lending and housing programs, the GREEN Act is the sort of innovative and common-sense approach we need to spark our economy while saving energy.

“We congratulate the House Financial Services Committee for moving this bill forward on the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day,” said Miller. “And we commend Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), an honorary member of AIA-Colorado, and Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), the co-chair of the Congressional High Performance Building Caucus, who co-sponsored this legislation.”

AIA estimates that the GREEN Act could create as many as 140,000 jobs in the building industry per year. http://www.aia.org/advocacy/federal/AIAB082795

The GREEN Act (H.R. 2336), provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to offer lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers who build, buy, or remodel their homes to make them more energy-efficient.

Over the past three years, the AIA has worked closely with Reps. Perlmutter and Biggert in drafting this bill.  The GREEN Act was passed by the House of Representatives each of the last two years but has yet to be considered by the Senate. Thursday’s Earth Day vote takes the measure one step closer to making enactment a reality. 

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change. AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org