Earlier this month, the National Association of Office andIndustrial Properties has formed its official association policy onenergy to encourage its member to increase their commitment togreen building. "We're looking to positively encourage a proactivestance," Thomas J. Biscacquino, NAIOP president, told GlobeSt.com."The business case is becoming stronger and stronger."

Key objectives of the NAIOP policy include: encouraging the realestate development industry to employ ever feasible,cost-effective, sustainable strategy to increase the energyefficiency of new and existing buildings; engaging in educationalprograms, seminars and conferences to help employ best practices;and advancing public policies that accelerate, support and promoteefficiency.

Meanwhile, standards of energy efficiency have been evolvingrapidly. LEED v. 3 is the effort by the U.S. Green Building Councilto simplify the standards for Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design certification, while also allowingcustomization for regional differences. The new system, which wouldgrant up to 110 points--including 10 optional bonus points forvarious green practices--would replace the current system, whichgrants up to 69 points for various environmentally consciousmethods and technologies. The proposed revision currently is in thepublic comment stage, with interested parties to send suggestionsby June 22.