Commercial Building Group Supports Green Undertaking

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the signing of a Memorandum of

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to work cooperatively to promote energy efficiency and environmentally responsible operations to building owners, operators and property managers who collectively represent 9 billion square feet of commercial real estate. The announcement was made during the mid-November Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Denver.

Among the initiatives outlined in the MOI are joint promotional activities including collaboration at BOMA’s North American Commercial Real Estate Congress and the Office Building Show in New York City in July 2007 and USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Los Angeles in October 2007, plus educational offerings such as Web-based seminars on energy efficiency and green building practices. BOMA will be working with USGBC as a Top-Tier Partner, one of what USGBC officials note is an exclusive group of organizations Û including the American Institute of Architects Û recognizing the need to move real estate to a more sustainable approach.

This collaboration with USGBC reflects the commercial real estate industry’s continued and growing commitment to promoting energy efficient and environmentally responsible buildings, says BOMA International Chairman Kurt Padavano (Advance Realty Group, Bedminster, N.J.). Working together to promote sustainable practices not only provides a healthier and more productive workplace environment, but also creates a tremendous potential for energy savings and reduced emissions.

Collaboration and sharing best practices are the keys to success, adds USGBC President Rick Fedrizzi. BOMA is one of the most respected and influential organizations in the building industry, and we are proud to be partnering with them to help further green building practices in commercial real estate.