Proposed State Budget Threatens Wisconsin’s Leadership in Green Building Innovation and Technology

Milwaukee, WI – April 30, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) —The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA) is very concerned about proposed cuts to State and University programs that support Wisconsin’s green building and construction industry. Public investment in the UW system is critical to supporting local jobs in the green building industry and stimulating private investment statewide.

“Wisconsin businesses have been at the forefront of a market transformation toward more energy and water efficient buildings that save owners money and are better places in which to live and work. The green building industry benefits from the research and highly educated graduates from UW System schools,” said Rob Zimmerman, President of WGBA.

Wisconsin businesses, design, build, engineer, and manufacture products for the high performance commercial and residential marketplace locally and globally. Green building is an $85 billion market nationally. Wisconsin has more than 3,000 LEED credentialed professionals and 70 million square feet of LEED certified buildings.

The proposed 2015-2017 budget cuts in excess of $300 million to the UW System could negatively impact the state’s abilities to remain cutting edge in the globally competitive field of green building. It is an industry that seeks to recruit an innovative, highly skilled and trained workforce. Access to UW research on renewable energy, power storage, advanced materials, water technologies, building science and ecology gives Wisconsin businesses an advantage.

“The green building industry in Wisconsin and around the country has benefited from the talented, skilled workers and building technologies that have come out of these programs. We urge that as budget negotiations move forward, the Wisconsin legislature considers the impact of these programs and safeguards the potential for future innovation and economic development,” said Korinne Haeffel, WGBA Executive Director.

About the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance

WGBA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization that serves the state of Wisconsin. We are the official Wisconsin Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and represent USGBC and its programs in Wisconsin. Our Members and Board believe that where we live, learn and labor matters, and that sustainable buildings are better for the occupants, the owners, the community and the economy. Wisconsin Green Building Alliance members include architects, engineers, contractors, designers, product manufacturers and many others. WGBA works toward its mission through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Learn more about WGBA at www.wgba.org.

WGBA Advocacy Policy Statement

The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA), a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, is committed to the idea that where we live, learn, and labor matters. We believe that healthy, efficient buildings can enhance the lives of Wisconsin’s citizens by improving education outcomes, increasing worker productivity, preserving our environment, and growing our economy. WGBA supports individuals and organizations statewide who participate in the high-performance building market through professional networking, skills development, and market enhancement. We understand that buildings and the environment are inseparably linked, therefore we advocate for laws, codes, and programs that spur investment in sustainable infrastructure, research, and innovation.

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