Some four decades after the first Earth Day and more than thirty years since back-to-back oil shortages forced us to think about our energy consumption, it seems as though the idea of living for rather than in spite of the environment is gaining popularity once again.

'Building Green' is now a genuine movement, not just among the usual suspects (and we know who we are,) but an initiative that is increasingly being embraced by progressive municipal governments and more than a few savvy home builders. In fact, as oil and natural gas prices have gone through the stratosphere in recent months, almost everyone in those areas of the country dependent on fossil fuels for electricity or heat is probably wishing they had planned for green home a long time ago. If you need reminding, energy prices, especially in the Northeast, are expected to rise as much as 70 percent over last winter's levels.

Publish Date: 01/17/2006