MINNEAPOLIS -- The Builders Association of the Twin Cities, the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the Green Institute, have jointly developed a new standards program to certify environmentally friendly building practices for new and existing buildings, as well as remodeling and building addition projects, the Minnesota GreenStar program, according to GreenBuildings.com. 

Builders can download applications for the pilot program, as well as a remodeling checklist and the GreenStar brochure, on the program's website, MNGreenStar.org. Certifications will begin in October for remodeling projects, with certification of new housing projects beginning in March 2008. Read more.