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ENERGY STAR® is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to help us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and programs. The Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program is a regional initiative intended to promote the construction of energy-efficient homes using the guidelines set forth by the EPA.
Many builders and remodelers are going green with the help of NAHBGreen. The suite of services was unveiled in February 2008 to provide a comprehensive set of educational resources, advocacy tools, a credible green standard, and referrals to a national green home certification system by the NAHB Research Center, a qualified and independent third party. Collectively, these offerings help home builders anywhere build green.
The Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction (BA-PIRC) team is led by the Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida. Formerly known as the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP), BA-PIRC is a university-based Building America team competitively funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy-Building Technologies program. BA-PIRC works with partners throughout the United States.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the “gold standard” for PV and solar thermal installation certification. Designed to raise industry standards and promote consumer confidence, NABCEP offers certification and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America.
The Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000. Our mission is to expand the use of renewable energy in Montana, to affect public policy in favor of renewable energy, and to educate and inform the residents of Montana of the benefits and uses of renewable energy. MREA members include individuals and organizations that support the increased use of renewable energy in Montana, as well as companies in the renewable energy industry.
The Missoula Building Industry Association (MBIA) is a non-profit, membership-based association comprised of builders as well as plumbers, bankers, excavators and a variety of other members whose businesses are the fabric of the Missoula building industry. More than 100 different types of businesses belong to the association.
The Helena Building Industry Association is an association of business people drawn together by home building, working to raise the standards of the building industry through education and civic involvement for the betterment and positive growth of our community and industry.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2000, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
In April 1995, the National Association of State Energy Officials and Energy Rated Homes of America founded the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to develop a national market for home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages. RESNET’s standards are officially recognized by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as federal tax incentives, the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program. RESNET standards are also recognized by the U.S. mortgage industry for capitalizing a building’s energy performance in the mortgage loan, and certification of “White Tags” for private financial investors.
The Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that provides training, education and research to promote implementation of Passive House Building Energy standard, as well as the design approach and techniques to accomplish that standard. PHIUS engages in:
- Constructing, measuring, and verifying performance of Passive Houses in all US climate zones
- Conducting nationwide training and certification of Passive House Consultants
- Contributing to the development of minimized mechanical systems for heating, cooling, and dehumidification
- Creating design guidelines for Passive Houses in all climate zones
- Providing energy calculation and consulting services
- Participating in presentations, meetings, conferences, etc. regarding passive construction
STS Achievers demonstrate significant integration of environmental and social sustainability practices throughout the organization. The gold level is earned by accruing ten Greenpoints and at least four badges.
The Greenhouse Gas / Energy Conservation Plan provides for the creation of the Greenhouse Gas / Energy Conservation Team to aid in the community-wide education and communication of energy efficiency opportunities that minimize greenhouse gas generation and to monitor and lead energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. The Team also provides recommendations to the Missoula City Council Conservation Committee on topics such as renewable energy, recycling, municipal government operations, tracking energy use, building efficiency strategies and transportation.
