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New EPA Exhibit Focuses on Designing Environmentally Green Buildings

Release Date: 9/10/2004
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Contact: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567
PHILADELPHIA – There are more than 76 million residential buildings and nearly five million commercial buildings in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

These buildings together use one-third of all the energy consumed in the U.S., and two-thirds of all electricity.

The future challenge will be to build them smart, so they use a minimum of nonrenewable energy, produce a minimum of pollution, and cost a minimum of energy dollars, while increasing the comfort, health, and safety of the people who live and work in them.

A new exhibit showcasing the latest innovations and methods of designing and constructing environmentally green buildings debuted today at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Information Center, located at 1650 Arch St., Phila., Pa.

The new “Green is Better” exhibit was officially opened by Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator of EPA’s mid-Atlantic region, and Delaware Valley Green Buildings Council Chair Sandy Wiggins. The exhibit runs through Oct. 29, 2004.

“Constructing and operating buildings requires enormous amounts of energy, water, and materials,” said Welsh. “The concept of a green building is relatively new but it makes sense to incorporate methods of saving energy and resources while the building design is still on the drawing board.”

The public is invited to tour the exhibit Mondays - Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There is no fee for admission, however a photo ID is required to enter the building.

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