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Green Building

Green building, also called "sustainable" or "high-performance" building, means having a significantly reduced impact on the Earth's resources compared to conventional building. It also means creating a building that is healthier and more comfortable for its occupants, consequently enhancing productivity.

We define a "sustainable building" as one that is healthy and comfortable for its occupants and is economical to operate. It conserves resources (including energy, water, raw materials and land) and minimizes the generation of toxic materials and waste in its design, construction, landscaping, and operation. A green building also considers historic preservation and access to public infrastructure systems, as well as the entire life cycle of the building and its components.

MPCA's Green Building Program

The Green Building program strives to help communities find creative environmental solutions that are economically viable and meet social needs. By teaming up with other state agencies, local governments, community groups, trade associations, building professionals, academic institutions, and citizens, MPCA has helped advance sustainable building practices in Minnesota.

The agency's in-house and grant-funded projects have supported the creation of design guidelines, certification programs, renewable energy information resources, deconstruction and reuse services, and demonstration projects such as green affordable housing.

• Overview of program resources and assistance (900Kb)
  

Currently, the Green Building program is partnering with the Minnesota GreenStar Certified Green Homes and Remodeling Program and the USGBC Mississippi Headwaters Chapter to mainstream residential and commercial green building in Minnesota, creating the Eco House at the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience, launching a Minnesota GreenCorps program, developing training to expand capacity for green building within local governments and the builder community, assisting efforts to "green the codes," and providing direct technical assistance to government, business, non-profits, and individuals.