WASHINGTON – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) implemented its “Fifty for Fifty” initiative, working with state lawmakers in all 50 states to promote green school buildings.

USGBC said its goal is for every state legislature in the nation to have its own caucus or working group of lawmakers advancing green schools for kids. Inspired by the successes of the Congressional Green Schools Caucus, the initiative will build on widespread participation in USGBC’s LEED for schools program, which has over 1,000 green schools registered across the U.S.

The “Fifty for Fifty” Initiative provides state legislators with:
* Up-to-date information and developments in green building including trends, cost-benefit studies and incentives offered by localities to advance and promote green building
* Networking opportunities with like-minded legislators across the country
* Opportunities for partnerships with experts in their communities, from architects to engineers to contractors
* Opportunities to present best practices and successes in regional and national forums

State legislators launching the initiative will include:
* Karen May, Illinois
* Mary Brandenburg, Florida
* Patricia Haddad, Massachusetts
* Kenneth Plum, Virginia
* Mimi Stewart, New Mexico
* Jeremy Kalin, Minnesota

“For students and families across the country, more green schools ultimately mean more effective educational facilities, significant operating costs savings, a better environment and healthier communities,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The caucuses will add the significant weight of their voices to this critically important effort. If we’re successful at treating green schools for every child, no matter his or her economic bracket, we’ll raise a generation of smart, healthier, inspired kids.”

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