Green building is predicted to create 7.9 million jobs and a $554B increase in GDP in the next four years.  A study conducted by the USGBC and Booz Allen Hamilton forecasts that from 2009 to 2013, green building will contribute (a) $554B to the U.S. GDP compared to $173B from 2000 to 2008, and (b) 7.9 million jobs, compared to 2.4 million from 2000 to 2008.
Related: Green building to contribute $554B to GDP from 2009-13 (Environmental Leader)

In the wake of the Stimulus Package, and the economic rescue legislation of 2008, several energy efficiency and renewable tax incentives were extended.  The Green Tax Guide helps readers understand these incentives.  Download the guide at www.GreenTaxGuide.net.

Perkins+Will created a "Precautionary List" to guide green building professionals.  The list provides a data base for two dozen harmful chemicals, the building materials, where they may be found, the suspected health effects, the regulatory measures, and a list of greener alternative materials that may be used.

The AIA recently published Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment.  The report updated a 2007 survey and examines national policies and best practices.  The survey found
(a) 138 cities have green building programs, an increase of 50% in two years; (b) 24 of the 25 most populated regions in the U.S. have green building policies; (c) the West is first with the most green building programs; (d) the Mountain states are second in green building programs; (e) the Eastern states are third with a 75% rise in green building programs since 2007; and (f) the Central states are fourth with 21 cities with green building programs.  The report recommends cities (1) hire a director of sustainability; (2) train and accredit municipal employees; (3) pursue green economic development and initiatives; (4) remove legal barriers; and (5) make programs simple and regional.

The Green Building Foundation envisions funding green affordable housing, energy efficiency low-income housing retrofits, and renewable energy and clean water for third-world countries.  But first, the group is focused on greening schools in low-income areas.

Sacramento is partnering with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to implement a smart grid program utilizing, in part, federal stimulus funds from the DOE.  The program is designed to explore how to design, run, and manage an urban "smart grid" utility system.

Related:  Obama gives smart grid $ 3.4B  - Oct. 28
President Barack Obama gave $3.4B in stimulus-funded grants to 100 private companies, utilities, manufacturers, cities and partners with projects that improve smart meter infrastructure and technologies.  The DOE said $4.7 billion in private investment will be added for a total investment of $8 billion.

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will vote next year on new building codes that may require 30% energy efficiency gains for commercial and residential buildings.

Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas is the first healthcare facility in the world to earn LEED Platinum.  Dell has 503,000 square feet, 169 beds and is located on a 32-acre campus.  Hospitals comprise about 4% of the world's building stock, but consume 8% of the energy.

Three green hospitals costing over $4B are underway in San Francisco.  They are California Pacific Medical Center Cathedral Hill Hospital, the University of California San Francisco Medical Center at Mission Bay, and the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.  All three are currently designed to earn LEED-NC Gold.  Rather than working independently, design professionals from each project are collaborating to share sustainable design approaches.

Shorenstein's 555 12th Street in Oakland City Center is the first building in the company's commercial real estate portfolio to be LEED EBOM Gold certified.

The interiors of Autodesk's architecture, engineering and construction headquarters in Waltham, Mass., earned LEED-CI Platinum.  A crucial component to LEED certification is daylighting.  Platinum requires 90% of workspaces to be illuminated with natural daylight.  The designers linked Autodesk Revit Architecture 3D model with Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software to analyzed daylighting.

This video highlights green data center designs.  IBM uses an automated network of sensors, air conditioning and liquid cooling to keep equipment operating at safe temperatures at reduced energy costs.

Northern Trust is the first private entity in Lee County, Florida, to earn LEED Gold for its office building.