Green construction to account for billions in wages

By Kevin Matthews

Vice President, Energy & Environment Sector

Green construction in the United States has soared in recent years and there’s plenty of reason for optimism as we head into the New Year. A steady stream of statistics, studies and reports indicate the trend will continue in the coming years.

In November, a report from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton showed green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy through 2013.

The promise of the industry, fueled by a need to curb environmental impact for the sake of our future, has spawned new businesses and ideas from solar panels to insulation made from recyclables. It’s also led to the discovery that what some may consider to be more conventional materials may be every bit as gentle on our environment as new developments. Last year, the American Forestry and Paper Association successfully argued paper products’ eligibility for renewable energy credit. The distinction also allows companies using such products to qualify for LEED certification. There are many reasons for their success, including chemical-free forestry practices and insulation made with recycled paper.

Though rebuilding our national economy might appear daunting, green construction continues to contribute to signs of a rebound. The USBC/Booz report determined that green construction spending currently supports more than 2 million American jobs and generates more than $100 billion in gross domestic product and wages and will account for $396 billion in wages in the next four years.

Green construction has certainly soared. And, clearly, it’s about to reach new heights.

This article was originally published at GovConExecutive.com. Kevin Matthews is Vice President of Energy and Environment for NSI where he runs the day-to-day sector operations and works with clients on sustainable solutions for interfacing with state and local governments. Prior to joining NSI, Mr. Matthews held various positions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. where he worked for Administrator Carol M. Browner and served as both Special Assistant and Senior Congressional Liaison. He also worked as an aide to U.S. Senators Dale Bumpers and Joseph Lieberman.