The tanking housing market is affecting an entire industry that includes everyone from realtors to framers to plumbers. No doubt many of those employed in these industries are looking for an edge, before they end up looking for a job. Increasingly, that means that these specialty trades are getting greener. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has announced its membership in the U.S. Green Building Council. USGBC is working with the electrical group by helping create a workshop that will bless attendees with LEED accreditation in new construction.

"Our vision is that NECA will be a resource to help our member contractors and their customers ‘go green’ at whatever level they want," said Rob Colgan, NECA executive director for marketing. "Sustainable construction can be a part of any building project, and our goal is to help owners, developers and general contractors find the right balance in their electrical and communication systems."

Colgan also says that energy efficiency plays a key role in LEED certification, as well as savings for building owners. He also points out that as alternative power sources take over, somebody will have to install the proper equipment: "Effectively using these alternative methods of power generation, however, takes specific skills and experience with a wide array of new products, and NECA contractors have a distinct advantage in this area."

At this point, I think it's pretty clear that the U.S. Green Building Council has cornered their market. Their LEED program is the gatekeeper for any sustainable building project. Just a couple days ago, I wrote about the organization helping to write the rulebook on eco-friendly home remodeling. One wonders if we'll see the day that LEED inspectors check old homes for compatibility or home sellers provide CARFAX-like certificates to prove a McMansion's efficiency.