Some time ago we talked with Roger Manny of Jacobs Engineering with regard to green building.  One of the problems with going green, of course, is tight money during a recession. Some commercial investors are sustaining major losses, even on traditional buildings.   However, Manny talked creativity.

He said: “What we are trying to do is to encourage retailers in the development of methods for saving energy — such as daylight harvesting linked through controls to efficient lighting and also capturing waste heat from refrigeration equipment for heating purposes.”

Manny added, “Nonetheless, it is hard to convince people that if they spend now, they will see a return on investment soon enough down the line.” Our Love Affair with Green

According to a new piece on Green Building Elements there are still worries. They note:  “Builders, of course, worry about whether or not green constructions will even endure during this economic downturn. Financially, a number of things can still go wrong. Material prices are always subject to large fluctuations, government incentives can fall through or fail to be secured, and entire projects can have unforeseen delays because of those types of things. Then there are the legal concerns.”

There are the issues of LEED certification, insurance problems, and regulatory concerns.

The article itself poses risks and benefits.  It is up to you to decide.

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/08/24/are-there-any-risks-in-building-green/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2178329189/