NAA Launches Green Web Site

Arlington, VA, Feb. 17, 2009 – The National Apartment Association (NAA) is pleased to announce the launch of the new NAA Green Communities Web site: www.naahq.org/green. The NAA Green Communities Web site offers resources and tools to help property managers and owners, developers, remodelers and residents learn how to “go green”.

"Green has become THE buzzword in the real estate industry today and it is NAA's role to prepare our members for this market shift to sustainable building and operations," said NAA President Doug Culkin, CAE. "Through programs that address green education, recognition and market awareness, such as this NAA Green site and our new Green Conference*, we aim to help our members move the practice of green building and operations into the multifamily housing mainstream."

Going Green: Optional or Mandatory?

Building green communities and implementing environmentally-conscious practices is more than just a good idea for the apartment industry: it may become a necessity. In 2007 and 2008, governments at the local, state and federal levels have mandated environmental regulations that specifically affect the multifamily housing industry. Jurisdictions across the U.S. have considered or enacted new green building guidelines, incentive programs for environmentally-friendly companies, and rules for the energy-efficient operation of properties. One of the key pieces of green legislation that has been considered at the Federal level is the American Climate Security Act of 2007, also known as the Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill, which would put an aggressive cap on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions each company is allowed to emit, coupled with a hefty price tag for any organization exceeding its allotted limit. The cap amount for each company would then be reduced by 2% each year until the year 2050.

On June 6, 2008, the bill failed to pass, falling just 12 votes short of the 60 votes it needed.

"Although the Lieberman-Warner bill did not move forward, the potential for this type of legislation is far from dead," stated Culkin. "The Obama administration has announced its support for this kind of ‘cap-and-trade’ energy policy, and our industry cannot ignore the implications. Utility, transportation and manufacturing companies will be hit the hardest and will have to pass these additional costs onto their customers. Apartment communities will see increased costs for many of their suppliers and service providers. This is in addition to the growing cost of direct energy usage, predicted to increase in many areas of the country, due to pending and/or already enacted environmental regulations at the state and local level."

What Are Green Communities?

Green communities incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. This means the building’s – and its surrounding community’s – impact on the environment is considered during all aspects of its design, construction, and operation.

The ever growing market of sustainable, environmentally-friendly and recycled building products – along with the greater availability of educational opportunities for developers, owners, operators and residents – has quickly accelerated green building’s acceptance in the market place. Energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, sustainable or recycled products, and indoor air quality are increasingly being incorporated into the everyday processes of the multifamily housing industry.

"This new site is a great resource for apartment industry professionals who are considering moving their residential communities forward with this exciting market opportunity," added Culkin. "But the NAA Green site is more than just a starting point; those already incorporating green practices now have the vital information, research and tools to continue their greening efforts. In addition, government officials who are involved in decisions affecting sustainability policy for multifamily housing can visit the site to understand the unique concerns specific to our industry."

About the NAA Green Communities Web Site

Specific resources available on the new NAA Green Communities site include:

• Education:

• Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM) designation program

• Government Affairs:

• NAA's Policy on Green Building and Energy (coming soon)
• Green Building Issues
• Smart Growth Issues

• News & Events:

• Upcoming Green Events from around the industry
• Latest Industry News
• NAA’s units Magazine articles

• Tools & Resources:

• Green Tools for apartment managers and owners, such as rating systems, carbon calculators, energy performance tracking, life cycle analysis tools and information on grants, funding and incentive programs
• Green Building Research
• External Links to associations, non-profits and government organizations with environmentally-friendly missions
• Glossary of green terms

• Renter Center:

• Green Tips for Apartment Residents
• Links to Other Helpful Web Sites for consumers interested in “green living”

For more information about NAA’s new Green Communities site, please visit www.naahq.org/green.

 

*The 2009 NAA Green Conference & Exposition will take place April 28-29 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Multifamily housing owners and managers, property developers, government officials, policy makers and suppliers to the apartment industry are invited to attend. Visit the NAA's Green Conference page for more details, including session topics, registration and hotel information.

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The National Apartment Association (NAA) is America’s leading advocate for quality rental housing. NAA’s mission is to serve the interests of multifamily housing owners, managers, developers and suppliers and maintain a high level of professionalism in the multifamily housing industry to better serve the rental housing needs of the public.

NAA is a federation of nearly 200 state and local affiliates, comprised of more than 52,000 multifamily housing companies representing more than 6.4 million apartment homes throughout the United States and Canada. Members in good standing of any affiliated association are automatically considered members of NAA and entitled to NAA benefits.

Our members represent all facets of the multifamily housing industry: apartment owners, management executives, developers, builders, investors, property managers, leasing consultants, maintenance personnel, suppliers and related business professionals throughout the United States and Canada.