MEDIA ALERT: June 27, 2007
ABOUT: An exciting new voluntary green building standard being readied for launch in Minnesota. Developed by the Builders Association of the Twin Cities, the National Association of Remodeling Industry – Minnesota, and the Green Institute.
BASICS: Minnesota GreenStar - Certified Green Homes and Remodeling comprises regionally appropriate green building standards that embrace our unique climate concerns, building codes and material, energy, and natural resources. Taking these aspects into account, the program will include standards for energy and water efficiency, materials, health, and site impact. Minnesota GreenStar leverages two green building standards – New Home Construction and Home Remodeling – both designed with the builder/remodelor and homeowner in mind. The standards will provide users with prerequisite and prescriptive strategies, as well as a broad, well-rounded array of alternatives to achieve Minnesota GreenStar certification.
Fundamental to the program is an objective, third-party verification system that assures consumers that the new home or remodeling project performs as promised. The standards will be supported by a mandatory education program for builders and remodelors, as well as general education and promotion to consumers. With the robust standards as the vehicle, it is our aim to bring homebuyers and homeowners a verified certification that will allow them the opportunity to choose more efficient, healthy, and environmentally sensitive design and construction practice.
TIMELINE:
Remodeling standards are in pilot phase and pilot projects are underway. Homebuilding standards are set to enter pilot phase in August 2007. A full press conference to announce complete details of the program and its standards is forthcoming in August 2007.
CONTACTS:
Joshua Fowler, Executive Vice President
Builders Association of the Twin Cities
(651) 697-7561
joshua@batc.org
Sandra Meyer, Executive Director
NARI MN
(612) 332-6274
sandra@narimn.org
Corey Brinkema, Executive Director
The Green Institute
(612) 278-7113
cbrinkema@greeninstitute.org
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities, presenters of the Parade of Homes EasyStreetSM, Spring PreviewSM, Fall ShowcaseSM, Remodelors ShowcaseSM, and the Parade of Homes Radio HourSM represents almost 1,900 member firms involved in all phases of the home building and remodeling industries and is dedicated to providing a diverse selection of quality and affordable housing to the Twin Cities area.
NARI of Minnesota is a Chapter of The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 7,000 member companies nationwide, the Association is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry”TM.
The Green Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is "sustaining the environment and our communities through practical innovation". The Institute is a pioneer and leader in the Midwest’s green building industry and supports a nationally-recognized reclaimed building materials enterprise, the ReUse Center and Deconstruction Services.