The city of Cincinnati last month passed legislation that provides a 15-year tax abatement on building that meet (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, according to the Enquirer.

A builder constructing 77 condos will be the first to apply for the 100 percent tax incentive for including features such as recycled bricks and reflective roofing materials. These incentives increase property values because of the energy savings as well as by reduced emissions.

On the other extreme is Nevada, which wants to cancel its green building incentives because of a revenue deficit. So the state that is home to the world's least sustainable city (Las Vegas) doesn't want to encourage builders to cut their energy use.

In federal policy, Senator Chuck Schumer wants legislation that would require states and municipalities to update their building codes to require more energy efficiency. Schumer hopes to attach the provision to the annual comprehensive energy bill that is now being debated in Congress.

As much as we talk about improving fuel economy and the need for energy independence in the transportation sector, the options for saving petroleum use through building improvements hardly gets a mention. It should be part of any national strategy.