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GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE™ CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR SUCCESSES
Non-Profit Helps Launch Local Green Programs; Recruits 5,700-Plus Members

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (March 13, 2006) — What a difference a year makes. Little more than a year ago, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) was formed. Today, the non-profit, a sponsor of the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) National Green Building Conference, enters the conference with momentum, 5,700 new associate members, three major-market local green building program launches under its belt and some big news in Albuquerque today for local builders and homebuyers.

"Given that we've existed for just over a year, we couldn't be happier with the reception we've received from builders and local home builder associations across the country," said Ward Hubbell, GBI executive director. "Our success demonstrates the increased commitment the building industry has to providing more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes."

The GBI is a not-for-profit organization created and supported by a broad cross-section of building professionals, producers and interested third parties dedicated to mainstreaming green building practices. The GBI promotes both residential and commercial green building practices.

ALBUQUERQUE PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Today, the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico unveiled their local green building program called Build Green New Mexico™. This program is designed to help bring more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly homes to the Albuquerque area.

SHOWCASING SMART GREEN OPTIONS
More than 5,700 individuals, including builders, realtors and academics, signed up to become associate GBI members during the non-profit's first year. The GBI provides these individuals with a variety of resources to learn more about green building trends and topics. "We pride ourselves on offering relevant green building information to those interested on being on the forefront of this industry trend," said Hubbell.

The GBI also works closely with home builder associations to create local green building programs and create demand through consumer education. In year one, programs launched in Houston, St. Louis and Kansas City.

"As a builder in Houston for 25 years, I've noticed demand increase for green building options," said Brian Binash, chair of the green building sub-committee of the Greater Houston Builders Association. "Our new green building program is a big step to helping even more homeowners throughout the Houston area enjoy the benefits of green built homes."

The GBI provides local home builder associations:

• Information and expertise on environmentally progressive, practical and affordable green building approaches
• Educational seminars for builders
• Promotional and marketing support for local green building programs
• Web-based support such as model guidelines, case studies and technical assistance
• Market research regarding evolving consumer trends and attitudes

"Until recently, a relatively small number of niche builders delved into green building," said Matt Belcher, chairman of the Home Builders Association of Greater St. Louis' green building council. "But now, the GBI helps make green building practical and affordable for all builders."

In the coming months, the GBI expects to triple its number of local programs. As cities -- including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Durham, N.C., Hartford, Conn. and Park City, Utah ? look to unveil green building programs with the non-profit's help.

NATIONAL AWARENESS
The GBI increased national awareness of its mission to mainstream green building through involvement in numerous industry conferences and events. With presence at more than 35 trade conferences and events, the GBI connected with builders and developers, architects, contractors and realtors all over the U.S. Additionally, the GBI continues to be a key sponsor of the NAHB's National Green Building Conference.

ANSI ACCREDITED AND THE FUTURE OF THE GBI
In September, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) formally recognized the GBI as an accredited national standards developer—making the GBI the first green building organization permitted to develop, maintain and withdraw American national standards.

"ANSI accreditation demonstrates our non-profits commitment to the ideals of openness, balance and consensus," Hubbell stressed. The GBI's industry presence prompted stories and features in hundreds of magazines, newspapers, radio and TV shows including Fine Homebuilding, Builder, Architectural Record, The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune.

As green building becomes a more important issue among home builders, the GBI is defining itself as a key resource for builders and home builder associations interested in populating mainstream green building practices.

"With a successful year one behind us, we're enthusiastic to see so many builders becoming involved and more and more local associations adopting green building programs," said Hubbell. "We're excited to see what the next 365 days have in store."

For more information on the Green Building Initiative, please visit www.thegbi.org.