Commercial Buildings Related Links

Federal tax incentives are available for energy-efficient improvements to commercial buildings. Learn more.

Here you will find websites that offer resources related to energy-efficient commercial buildings. You can also search for resources in the Commercial Buildings Resource Database.

Architects Without Borders — This site describes the volunteer humanitarian relief organization committed to helping communities develop self-directed sustainable recovery and reconstruction programs. From Architecture Sans Frontieres, a nonprofit organization
Building Materials Emissions Study — This study looks at the emissions of traditional building materials as compared to alternative products to determine the impact on indoor air quality. From the California Integrated Waste Management Board
California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan — This document, developed by the California Public Utilities Commission, sets forth a roadmap for energy efficiency in California through the year 2020 and beyond including long-term vision and goals for each economic sector and specific strategies to assist in achieving those goals.
City of Seattle Sustainable Building Information — This site offers facility standards and information about the city's green building team. Also offers green home remodeling guides. From the Washington State Department of Planning & Development
The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings — This report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force provides an analysis of the financial costs and benefits of green building and finds that a minimal upfront investment of about 2% of construction costs typically yields life-cycle savings of more than 10 times the initial investment.
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency — This database provides a comprehensive source of information about state, local, utility, and select federal incentives that promote renewable energy. From Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiencies, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Transforming the Market — Through the Energy Efficiency in Buildings project, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development conducted extensive research on six major global markets that resulted in recommendations and an actionable roadmap to transform the building sector.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) — This website provides data about energy consumption, expenditures, and characteristics for U.S. buildings, collected and analyzed by DOE. Includes Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and end-use energy consumption data and analyses. From the Energy Information Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy
Green Building — Provides information about green buildings, including school and office buildings, as well as energy efficiency, green building materials, and water conservation. From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Houston Advanced Research Center — This organization is dedicated to improving human and ecosystem well-being through the application of sustainability science and principles of sustainable development. Visit the Web site to learn about various projects related to clean energy and energy efficiency. From HARC, a nonprofit organization
The Impact of DOE Building Technology Energy Efficiency Programs on U.S. Employment, Income, and Investment — This journal article, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff, was featured in Energy Economics and discusses how DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office assesses the macroeconomic impacts of its programs, specifically on national employment, wage income, and (most recently) investment.
International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment — International nonprofit organization that facilitates and promotes the adoption of policies, methods, and tools to accelerate the movement toward a global sustainable built environment. From IISBE, a nonprofit organization
Life Cycle Inventory Database — Provides a total accounting of the energy and material flows into and out of the environment that are associated with producing a material, component, or assembly. From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Photovoltaic Research — Provides news and information about solar electricity and commercial buildings. From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The 2030 Challenge — This challenge asks the global architecture and building communities to adopt energy-saving targets in building design. From Architecture 2030, a nonprofit organization
UK Green Building Council — Member organization that works to bring clarity, purpose, and coordination of sustainability strategy to the building sector in the United Kingdom. From the UK Green Building Council
U.S. Green Building Council — Consensus coalition that promotes the understanding, development, and accelerated implementation of "Green Building" policies, programs, technologies, standards, and design practices; includes the LEED® rating system to help set goals and provide a framework for design. From the U.S. Green Building Council
World Wide Web Virtual Library: Sustainable Development — Comprehensive list of Internet sites that deal with sustainable development, including organizations, projects and activities, electronic journals, libraries, references and documents, databases, and more. From the Center for Economic and Social Studies on the Environment at Université Libre de Bruxelles