Like many areas in the country, Phoenix and the Valley are striving to “go green”.

First, some interesting facts:

In the United States, buildings account for:

72 percent of electricity consumption.

39 percent of energy use.

40 percent of raw materials use.

30 percent of waste output.

14 percent of potable water consumption.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

A Quick glossary of green terms

Green building - A building that conforms to environmentally sound principles of construction practices, resource use and operations.

LEED - The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Smart growth - Urban-development strategies to reduce sprawl that are fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible.

Triple-bottom line -Measuring the economic, social and environmental performance of a project. This method of assessment aims for synergy among these three aspects rather than compromise, or “trade-offs,” among them.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

So, how is the greater Phoenix area doing their part?

Whether it’s a new high-rise in downtown Phoenix, or new solar companies moving one to Chandler and another to Goodyear, green architecture is taking root here.

Intel commits to solar systems in Chandler

Intel Corp. said it will build two rooftop solar-power systems at its Chandler facilities that will tie as the fifth largest in Salt River Project territory as part of a plan to add solar panels to eight of its buildings in the Southwest.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company also is increasing its commitment to purchase renewable-energy credits, and ranks as the largest purchaser of those credits in the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The systems should be complete in the next seven months.

Jan. 26, 2010 The Arizona Republic

Al Gore speaks at Greenbuild International Conference in Phoenix

About 25,000 green-building enthusiasts from 90 countries came to explore these and other sustainable designs in Arizona as part of the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held at the Phoenix Convention Center at the end of the year.

Former Vice President Al Gore answered some questions when he spoke with editorial writer Kathleen Ingley by phone in advance of the conference.

Q: How do we get around the challenge that a lot of environmentally sound investments pay off over time but have high upfront costs?

A: If those who make the day-to-day decisions are rewarded for much shorter-term profits, it should not be surprising that their decisions will reflect that reward structure.

Q: Your new book, Our Choice, offers a far-reaching blueprint for solving the climate crisis. In the context of the Greenbuild conference, what is the message you hope the average reader will take away from it?

A: I hope the readers of this book will provide support – including with their decisions in the marketplace – for the powerful movements among architects and builders to integrate green features into new construction and the retrofit market. They save money, protect the environment and enhance our national security by helping to reduce our ridiculous overdependence on imported oil and carbon-based fuels generally.

Q: How much is the current recession setting back progress on green development?

A: I don’t really think that it has. Construction of buildings is one of the oft-used initiatives to put people back to work quickly. Those jobs can’t be outsourced. When we face this planetary emergency, and the need to reduce our dependency on an oil market dominated by large reserves controlled by sovereign states in the Persian Gulf, it makes sense to integrate green elements into all facets of it.

Q: What is the coolest feature in green building these days, in your view?

A: I guess it’s in the eye of the beholder. Photovoltaic panels often capture the most attention. But the new windows are big energy savers.

And, of course, features that often seem more mundane . . . can save enormous amounts of money on both heating and cooling. Lightbulbs are going to become even more exciting as money-savers when the new LED systems are available early next year.