Green building technologies may do more to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases than solar, wind, biofuels or electric cars in the coming decades; building operations and construction account for 51 percent of all of the energy consumed in the U.S. and 76 percent of the electricity. Even more important, a substantial portion of that power is wasted because of the inefficient and aged technologies used to construct and operate homes and offices.

The conference also features keynote speaker James Sweeney, the director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency at Stanford University. He will address energy policy and energy efficiency, highlighting the connection between policy initiatives, markets, human behavior and reduced energy consumption.  A second keynote, given by Marc Porat, Chairman of Serious Materials, CalStar Cement and ZETA Communities explores how the development market will grow the economy in the coming years.

Other sessions include: “Navigating the Stimulus,” “From Concept to Construction: What Works in Green Building” and “How to Make Money in the Green Buildings,” all of which feature high-level perspectives from legal experts, venture capitalists and developers in the field.

The event will also present new products – such as energy-efficient light bulbs shaped like kitchen tiles and wallboards made from grass fibers – and it will discuss the dilemmas facing architects, contractors and building owners in going green.

The day will conclude with the Green Building entrepreneur showcase hosted by the California Cleantech Open held during the evening cocktail reception.

The symposium will take place at SRI in Menlo Park, California. For more information please visit http://www.greentechmedia.com/events/live/green-building-summit/ or contact Michael Kanellos, Greentech Media Inc., 415-544-9914.