2013 NE Green Building Industry Update

The Nebraska Green Building Industry
There are currently 45 organizations with headquarters in Nebraska that are members of USGBC. These
organizations, along with many other member organizations operating in the state, represent the diverse segments of Nebraska’s building industry. These organizations employ more than 371,000 people and gross more than $2 billion in annual revenue.

The Nebraska Flatwater Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council functions as the premier forum for leadership, education, advocacy and resources, and provides events and networking opportunities for the green building industry and community at large.

There are also 902 LEED credentialed professionals in Nebraska, and the number is growing fast. These are individuals in various fields who hold this credential to allow them to compete and perform more effectively in the green building market.

Leading by Example
Public policy can accelerate private sector uptake of practices and methods that yield wide-reaching benefits
of healthier, more efficient, lower-impact buildings. Government leadership can also be an effective driver. The State of Nebraska has taken important steps to support the state’s green building industry through authorizing legislation for local governments that promote and spur investment in green building. Locally, Nebraska municipal governments are working towards policy commitments that advance better building practices by rewarding leadership with LEED and reaping the benefits of green government buildings, such as saving tax-payer money. Leading by example, the State of Nebraska has 6 LEED registered and certified buildings owned or occupied by state government.

Communities throughout Nebraska are beginning to invest in schools that create a healthy environment that
is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money. Currently, there are 28 LEED registered and certified K-12 and Higher Education projects in Nebraska. To date, of the nation’s 20 largest school districts, 80 percent have committed to green school construction.

LEED Certified Buildings, Schools, Homes, and Neighborhoods
Nebraska ranks 44th in the nation with 127 commercial buildings that are LEED registered and certified, totaling more than 13 million square feet of LEED registered and certified green building space. Notably, Nebraska ranks 39th for registrations and certifications under the LEED for Schools and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating systems. For green building stats, facts, analytics and more, visit the Nebraska page in the Green Building Information Gateway (www.GBIG.org).

Generally, homes designed, built and certified to LEED are more comfortable, durable and energy and water efficient. In total, Nebraska has 53 LEED registered and certified homes across the state. Saving energy, water and money through high-performing green buildings that are built above and beyond code is increasingly prevalent in Nebraska. Government leadership and policy initiatives can play an important role in making Nebraska an even more important state for businesses leading in the emerging green economy.