30 federal programs worth $72 billion that could improve energy efficiency

A new report from the USGBC describes more than 30 federal programs worth $72 billion that could improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings and multi-family housing.    The report suggests that the federal government is not utilizing these programs to their fullest capacity.  It notes that as of 2009, green buildings represented only 2% of new residential and commercial construction in the US.    Some options mentioned in the report include integrating energy-efficiency and sustainability criteria into grants and funding options, improving the guidance related to energy efficient commercial building tax deductions, and the federal banking “greening” regulations.