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AIA Study Reveals Most Attractive Green Building Incentives

By GreenerBuildings Staff
Published July 1, 2008

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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The types of green building incentives currently in place are varied and spread across the national, state and local level, partially what is needed to keep support of green building alive, according to a new report.

"Local Leaders in Sustainability - Green Incentives" gives an overview of the types of incentives being offered, explaining the plusses and minuses of them and recommending which ones government should focus on.

The American Institute of Architects, the author of the report, says tax incentives, density bonuses and speedy permitting are the strongest methods of supporting green building.

Other incentives the report analyzes, with examples from cities, counties and states, include grants, loans, award programs, technical and design assistance, net metering, leasing assistance, permit and zone fee reductions, rebates, subsidized green premiums and discounts on Energy Star appliances.

The most effective incentives will have long life spans, the report says, and governments will have to provide a broad range of incentives at all levels of governance to make green building attractive and available to as many interested parties as possible.

The AIA developed the report through a survey and a Developers Roundtable at the end of 2007, where building industry members discussed incentives with the widest appeal.