Builder codes turn a 'green' leaf

More locales paving the way to save energy. A good opportunity on the horizon for entrepreneurs.

clipped from www.usatoday.com As energy costs rise, more states and cities are adopting policies that encourage or require new construction to be energy-efficient. "There's been a huge groundswell in green-building leadership at state and local levels. It's remarkable," says Jason Hartke of the U.S. Green Building Council, a private group that tracks legislation and sets guidelines that become construction industry standards. Nearly three times as many cities and counties approved green-building policies last year as did four years ago. A record number of states, 14, took such action last year, as compared with one in 2004, according to the council. This year, at least eight states and 22 localities have endorsed green policies.