What is a Green Building? It is a building that is constructed in a manner that minimizes the impact on the environment. The evaluation of a building includes all aspects of a building project. It includes the site location and design, how the building itself is designed, how it is constructed, and the type of materials used (percent of recycled products, travel distance to the site for the materials, and on-site waste handling and disposal). In addition, the evaluation includes how the building is designed for energy efficiency and how well the building operates after completion. Does it achieve the goals of the design and is it maintained properly?
What is Maryland doing? See the sites listed below to see what Maryland is doing in the fast growing field of environmentally friendly buildings:
	Provides detailed information about the activities of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and its Green Buildings Program. Read about the long- time effort to minimize the impact on the environment of buildings constructed and maintained in State Parks and other facilities. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/smartgrowth/greenbuilding/index.html
	Provides detailed information about the activities of the Maryland Energy Administration. Read about activities beyond building construction, that includes the purchase of energy, rebates, incentives, generation of power and hybrid vehicles. These issues complement the green building effort. http://www.energy.state.md.us
	Provides detailed information about the activities of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Read about the adoption of the energy conservation building code and the training programs to be conducted by the Maryland Codes Administration. http://www.dhcd.state.md.us/
	The Maryland Department of Environment- Mission: To Protect and restore the quality of Maryland's air, land, and water resources, while fostering economic development, healthy and safe communities, and quality environmental education for the benefit of the environment, public health, and future generations. http://www.mde.state.md.us
	Other Sources for Green Building Information
	The Green Building Network is an informal group of state agencies, design professionals, and other interested parties that conducts a wide array of activities related to Green Buildings. Read about how to participate. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/smartgrowth/greenbuilding/mdgbn/
	Leaders in Environment and Energy Design is a non-profit group that has established criteria for Green Buildings. http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/leed_main.asp
	Read about the activities of the U.S.Green Buildings Council that created the LEED system. http://www.usgbc.org

For suggestions and comments, please contact Ed Landon at landon@mdhousing.org