Initiatives
USGBC Indiana, as part of its mission to encourage the making of healthy green facilities and neighborhoods, advocates on a number of fronts:
Homes: We spend over a third of our lives in our homes, yet they are often the least healthy and efficient of our buildings. Our LEED for Homes advocate communicates with home builders and real estate agents to grow awareness of the LEED for Homes rating system and the benefits it can bring to homeowners and buyers.
Schools: Studies have shown, and repeated studies have verified, that daylighting, access to views and high indoor air quality lead to higher grades and reduced absenteeism in schools. The LEED for Schools rating system is third-party verification of a school corporation's dedication to the well-being of its students, faculty and staff and its proper stewardship of taxpayer funds. USGBC Indiana works with school administrators, patrons and designers to assist in their implementation of green design for their school facilities.
Commercial Real Estate: Developers and property brokers around the world are realizing that being green is also good for the economic bottom line as LEED-certified commercial buildings bring higher sales prices and rents, while reducing operating costs for their owners and tenants. Our new CRE Initiative will work with the Indiana developer and broker communities to build awareness of the LEED for New Construction, LEED for Core and Shell and LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance rating systems.
Legislation and Regulation: Representatives of USGBC Indiana have testified before state legislators on proposed green building legislation and other issues relating to environmental welfare.