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The last quarter century has witnessed an ever growing concern over the economic and environmental costs of energy consumption, here in Utah and across the nation. Whether you are a governmental agency, a local utility service, or an energy customer, we can all agree that saving our environmental resources both locally and nationally is a good thing.

The debate (isn't that a polite way to define some of the "discussions" that take place) often begins when the saving of 'environmental' resources is weighed against the saving of 'business' resources. Someone usually asks, "What will environmental savings cost businesses in time and dollars?" "Is there a fair and equitable breakdown for all parties involved?" These are fair questions to ask and to ponder.

The simple truth of the matter is that when an effective energy efficiency program is in place, significant dollars begin to be saved right along with trees, water and the air. It can happen here, and is happening even as you read this.

Since 1990, the Utah Energy Conservation Coalition has been creating and implementing energy savings programs for a wide variety of clients - utilities, municipalities, regulatory commissions, weatherization providers, and even consumer & environmental groups throughout the Mountain West. Throughout the ever changing and evolving priorities of government, commercial and consumer interests, the UECC has been working steadily to make conservation of our resources a reality. In each case, we've done so with the best interests of the client, their customers and the environment in mind. There are an infinite number of ways for you to begin saving both money and the environment.

One of the programs that the UECC has assisted in creating (in cooperation with the Utah Energy Office --UEO) is a program entitled BUILT-WISE. BUILT-WISE is short for: Building Utah Intelligently & Learning to Wisely Impact [our] Supply [of] Energy. The UECC feels that the BUILT-WISE program can be used as a broad based sustainability and resource efficient standard for sustainable/resource efficient (i.e.'Green Built') homes in Utah. The UECC believes that the BUILT-WISE Guidelines can be successful as long as there are clear and meaningful principles on which all calculations, qualifications, certifications and marketing strategies are based.

Utah BUILT-WISE Home Guidelines
The Utah BUILT-WISE Home Guidelines indicate simple and straightforward criteria by which a home, (new ore existing) can be designated as being built to an accepted and recognized "Green Built" standard. In order to avoid duplication and over burdening a builder we have added to the Guidelines this sentence: If a builder builds to the standards of other sustainable/resource efficient construction guidelines and protocols (such as the USGBC Residential Homes program, NAHB Green Building Guidelines - 2005, EarthCrafted Homes, &/or the Colorado Built Green Program) currently in place in the United States, these homes (upon verification of compliance) may also be designated as being in compliance with the Utah BUILT-WISE Home guidelines.

Chose Sustainable & Resource Efficiency
By choosing to build a home that encompasses aspects of sustainability and efficient use of all resources (i.e. a "Green Built" following the BUILT-WISE guidelines), you as a builder or home buyer have chosen to reduce the burden on the environment and add value to your home.

Why should you support a BUILT-WISE Designation?
Many homeowners desire and some even insist that their home be earth friendly, affordable to operate, and healthy to live in. The BUILT-WISE Guidelines have been designed to be a simple tool that will guide you and you customer through the process of selecting "green" features that are cost effective, benefit the environment, and will fit in with your current building practices. BUILT-WISE has been developed in such a manner that it is achievable by everyone and hopefully will be recognized as a statewide standard.

Benefits

Don't be put off by anything that might sound foreign to you. If you would like to become involved with BUILT-WISE, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding green building and energy efficiency/recourse management in Utah, please call the Utah Energy Conservation Coalition for assistance at: 1-801-765-0034 or via email at: info@utahenergy.org. For more information on BUILT-WISE please go to http://www.utahenergystar.org/builtwise.html

Resources

	Green Building Priorities		Utah Green Builder Checklist (1990)
html	Utah's Own Green Building Business		DOE - Energy Yardstick (1996)
html	"It's Not Easy Building Green" By Dave Porter		Green Energy/Resource Management Quotes
	Sustainable Building Technical Manual