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Government and municipalities are realizing the importance of having more sustainable practices, achieving greater environmental performance and efficiencies, and producing less of an environmental impact. Lawmakers are trying to pass a ruling in the Senate right now that would give a Federal Tax Credit of up to 30% of the cost of installing a green roof on a commercial or residential building. The Federal Government has pledged billions of dollars toward ‘green’ initiatives with grants and stimulus packages. Cities are now encouraging green roofs to reduce stormwater surges. For example: State legislation passed in June 2008 allows New York City building owners who install vegetation on at least half their buildings’ available rooftop space to offset $4.50 in property taxes for each square foot of green roof they install, for one year (the credit covers about a quarter of the cost of installation and is capped at $100,000); the City of Portland, OR, is leading an aggressive regional program providing financial, technical, and educational incentives to participants in its green roof initiative; Minneapolis, MN, confers green-area status to green roofs; and Chicago, IL, provides a density bonus for the use of green roofs in its central business district.

Other cities have also implemented incentive structures, including tax credits and avoidance of fees assessed for impervious surface cover. Check with your city environmental or planning department to learn more about green roof incentives in your area.