A new report from sustainability advocate Environment America details a plan to make the nation’s commercial buildings more efficient and energy-conscious. The environmental group affirms that compliance with its plan for the year 2030 will save enough energy to power all the houses, vehicles and businesses in the country for 1.5 years.

The plan seems simple enough. Architectural changes that incorporate new age energy technologies in the design of new and renovated commercial buildings and especially in the implementation of new age high-efficiency technology building systems would result in new buildings using a 50% less energy for the next 10 years. By 2030, these systems would begin to generate as much energy as they consume.

The report goes further. Accepting these architectural changes would reduce US carbon emissions by at least 34% by 2050.

Continuing with traditional design strategies is a dangerous alternative. Today, commercial design has created an energy nightmare in which 70% of all American energy is used in the nation’s workplaces. The Obama administration’s stimulus package includes $ 65 billion in financing and tax credits as incentives to include energy efficiency in new designs.

The emergence of a new design term, Building Integrated Renewable Energy (BIRE), has both stimulating and rewarding repercussions. The architects report that BIRE technology is now available to create “smart buildings” that will reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

The construction costs associated with these technologies are generally higher than the installation costs of traditional, less energy-efficient systems. A recent analysis of property developers shows that higher start-up costs are recovered in the very short term by reducing operating energy costs.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the popularity of sustainable design is ringing true for renters and building owners. Even in the current recession, a healthy and efficient workspace accompanied by usable green areas is in demand. Companies and their employees see sustainable design as happy work areas.

Additionally, the NAR reports that the values ​​of commercially designed sustainably designed properties are appreciating at a faster rate than the value of traditionally designed properties. This sets a win-win scenario against today’s sustainable architects. In today’s real estate market, location is still an important factor in establishing value, but energy efficiency and a healthy work environment have become appreciable products.

In a recent report from the US Green Building Council, there are currently more than 14,000 projects featuring sustainable new age components in progress around the world. These projects included more than 1 billion square feet. Sustainable project sites are located in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries.

A leading proponent of sustainable development is McGraw-Hill Corporation, which issued the following statement: “The overall green building market (both residential and non-residential) is likely to more than double from the current $ 36-49k. million to $ 96-140 billion in 2013. ” 82% of US businesses are expected to be greening at least 16% of their real estate portfolios. “New designs in sustainable architecture will lead the way.