Amidst surging interest for green building nationally among homeowners, builders, and media, an exciting green building program is being developed.

Minnesota GreenStar - Certified Green Homes and Remodeling is the product of a unique collaboration by the region’s finest homebuilders and remodelors and environmental and building science experts. The initiative is rooted in a partnership of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), the Green Institute, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry - Minnesota (NARI-MN).

Minnesota GreenStar comprises a regionally appropriate green building standard that embraces unique climate concerns, building codes and material, energy, and natural resources. Fundamental to the program is an objective, third-party verification system that assures consumers that the new home or
remodeling project performs as promised. The standard will be supported by a mandatory education program for builders and remodelors, as well as general education and promotion to consumers. With the robust standard as the vehicle, it is our aim to bring homebuyers and homeowners a verified standard that will allow them the opportunity to choose more efficient, healthy, and environmentally sensitive design and construction practices.

Minnesota GreenStar leverages two green building guidelines – New Home Construction and Home Remodeling – both designed with the builder/remodelor and homeowner in mind. The guidelines will provide users with prerequisites and prescriptive strategies, as well as a broad, well-rounded array of alternatives to achieve Minnesota GreenStar certification.

Currently both the New Home Construction and Home Remodeling standards are in the development and pilot phase. Program development and administration is being managed by the nonprofit Green Institute. The official program launch for the Remodeling Program is scheduled for October 2007, while the New
Homes official program launch is slated for March 2008.

Information about MN GreenStar is on our website www.mngreenstar.org. Please check the site for updates and more information about this exciting new standard. 

If any of the ABA Members are interested in updates on this new program and wish to help with the process.

Please let us know at aba@.abamn.org or call at 218-722-5707.