April 23, 2003 News Release Built GreenTM Residential Building Program Named Best in the Country Construction of healthy homes on the rise in King County From left to right: Robin Rogers, Built Green Director; Katie Spataro, King County Project Manager; Sam Anderson, Master Builders Association Executive Officer; Kathleen O'Brien, O'Brien & Company president The number of healthy, environmentally friendly houses built in King County has dramatically increased in the past three years thanks to the Built GreenTM program, a partnership effort between King and Snohomish Counties, the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Master Builders Association. Built GreenTM was recognized this month by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the best new program in the country and received the 2003 New Green Building Program of the Year Award. The NAHB sees great potential in Built GreenTM . The award was given based on the rapid expansion of the program, the comprehensiveness of its mission and the excellent potential for future market penetration. "We are helping builders and developers identify the value and demand for healthy, environmentally-sensitive homes," said Katie Spataro, King County project manager and co-chair of the Built GreenTM program. "Homebuyers rank energy efficiency and indoor air quality as the most important features in their homes. Designing and constructing to Built GreenTM standards can reduce the risk of asthma and other indoor-air problems, save on energy and water bills, and reduce maintenance costs." In addition to addressing features inside the home, Built GreenTM focuses on what happens on the jobsite during construction. Conventional construction practices can often negatively affect our natural resources through the materials used, the waste generated and the impact on the site. Built GreenTM provides builders, developers and remodelers hundreds of ways to create affordable, healthy, environmentally friendly houses and communities. Characteristics of Built GreenTM homes include: Energy saving features that can save as much as 50 percent off heating bills. Durable building materials that reduce maintenance costs. Healthier building options that can reduce the risk of asthma and other indoor problems. Building practices that improve water quality and contribute to the preservation of native salmon runs. Design elements that reduce waste and minimize the impact on our environment. Built GreenTM seeks to increase the market for green building by educating builders and homebuyers about the benefits of building green. Since the program's inception in 2000, the number of Built GreenTM units constructed in King County has increased from 36 to 1491, representing over 11% of the market. Two of the area's biggest home developers have jumped on board. Among the 15 builders and developers participating in Built GreenTM are Quadrant Homes and Port Blakely. The New Green Program of the Year was one of six awards in four categories presented during the opening ceremonies of the NAHB Research Center's National Green Building Conference earlier this month in Baltimore. Related Information Built Green TM Facts at a glance about building green News Releases

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