Search
 

USGBC Doubles Funding to Green School Research

WASHINGTON, DC-The USGBC is increasing its funding research by $1 million in order to better quantify the benefits of building green schools.

By Erika Morphy | Updated on February 07, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC-There is a school in Montgomery County, MD, that experienced zero turnover last year among its teachers. It also happens to be one of the growing number of US schools designed to Gold LEED standards. Rachel Gutter, the US Green Building Council’s Schools Sector manager believes the latter has something to do with the former, but she can’t necessarily prove it, yet.

USGBC has doubled its funding commitment for green building research grants to be awarded in 2008 to $2 million. Of that additional $1 million, $500,000 has been allocated for K-12 school facility research related to occupant impacts. Or in other words, it will be used to develop solid data on the concrete benefits, as well as costs, of going green for schools. “There are a lot of benefits that, if we can quantify, we could make an excellent case for green school development,” Gutter tells GlobeSt.com.

Much like the case for LEED designed office, hotels and industrial buildings, the benefits for green schools make intuitive sense–that is, the energy efficiencies and resulting health benefits pay for the costs of retrofitting or designing from the ground up to these standards. But there are other, less quantifiable reasons as well that USGBC would like to investigate. Teacher turnover is one. “If teachers are happier in the schools they will stay there,” Gutter says. “The number one reason why teachers call in sick is because they have strained their voice. A healthier building can prevent that.”

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.