CBRE and Maastricht University 2015 edition of an index measuring the adoption of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program and the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standard.
"For the second year in a row, the Twin Cities topped CBRE's Green Building Adoption Index with more than 70 percent of all commercial office space holding a certification from either the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program or the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standard," reports Kristen Leigh Painter.
Painter provides additional details about the study, and also points out the importance of green building certifications for attracting top companies. The Twin Cities, for instance, are home to 18 Fortune 500 companies.
Nancy Sarnoff also picked up on the findings of the report, focusing on the performance of Houston, which appears at number five on the ranking. San Francisco (#2), Chicago (#3), and Atlanta (#4) round out the top five.
The CBRE website provides additional details about the report, which is available in full online [pdf].
FULL STORY: Minneapolis-St. Paul top Green Building Adoption Index for second straight year

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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