Green Building Materials: Made in Minnesota

Over the past decade, interest in green building and environmentally friendly design has continued to grow. Nearly half of all new homes are expected to incorporate “green” elements by 2010. While the movement has gained significant ground, there is still debate about what defines “green,” which standards should be followed, and how to choose between alternatives.

This report explores the opportunities for achieving modern day green building goals by focusing on the opportunity to use local materials and locally manufactured products. Using the resources of Minnesota as an example, this report outlines what it might take to build homes without looking much further than one state’s borders.