Green Links

To learn more about environmental issues and find out what other businesses are doing to promote green initiatives, check out the following sites:

• Energy Star: EPA's energy efficiency site offers links to energy efficient appliances that carry the Energy Star Logo as well as building contractors and developers that design energy efficient communities. It also provides home improvement ideas and information on qualifying for tax credits.
  

• Florida Energy Commission: A nine-member panel, including OUC Commissioner Tommy Boroughs who serves as Chair, charged with recommending to the Florida Legislature the best ways to secure Florida’s energy future.
  

• Florida Energy Office: Offers user-friendly information on alternative fuels, hydrogen, solar, biomass energy and energy-efficiency.
  
  

• Florida Green Building Coalition: Provides state-level green building information with a focus on Florida's unique climate.
  

• Florida Renewable Energy Assocation (FREA): A statewide organization based in Orlando that provides educational seminars and events to the public on renewable energy.
  

• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC): Features information for consumers, teachers/students, industry professionals and researchers on solar electricity, solar hot water, green building, energy efficiency, hydrogen research and alternative fuels.

  • Florida Solar Energy Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credit Opportunities for Solar and Energy Efficiency
    
    

• GreenSpec: Provides a directory of green building resources that matches up with the LEED program.
  

• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): A national nonprofit organization that provides educational information on renewable energy.
  

• National Association of Home Builders Research Center: Provides green home building guidelines, profiles of green building programs and a list of green building publications and resources.
  
  

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Provides an array of information on renewable energy and green building design. Lab is operated by the U.S. Department of Energy.
  

• Calculate your Personal Green House Gas  Emissions and learn how you can reduce your household's impact on the environment.
  
  

• U.S. Green Building Council: Provides the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system to assist builders, architects and developers in creating sustainable building and community designs.