A new report released at the U.S. Green Building Council conference this week by McGraw-Hill Construction said the environmentally responsible "green building" market will reach $10-$20 billion over the next five years.

The research findings presented in MHC's new Green Building SmartMarket Report show:

· Green building comprises approximately 2 percent of nonresidential construction starts in 2004, valued at $3.3 billion;

· By 2010, the green building market is expected to be 5-10 percent of nonresidential construction starts (excluding non-building construction), valued from $10 billion - $20 billion;

· Over 70 percent of a representative sample of architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners anticipate sales growth from green building;

· 60 percent of architects, engineers and contractors are specifying and installing green building products in their construction projects; and

· Operating costs of green buildings expected to be between 8 and 9 percent lower than other buildings; green buildings expected to have increased values of 7.5 percent.

11/11/2005