CHICAGO, March 18, 2009 – The fragile state of the environment has inspired the green movement in many industries, including construction. To address the growing popularity of sustainable building and alternative energy use in construction, the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry will host “Talking Green Blues: Energy, Sustainability, and Green Building Challenges Affecting the Construction Industry” in New Orleans. The meeting will take place April 16 – 18 with headquarters at the Sheraton New Orleans.

Nearly 400 attendees, including lawyers, builders and other related professionals, will learn about green building fundamentals, green building standards, the effects of climate change on the industry and nuclear energy projects. With the meeting taking place in a post-Katrina New Orleans, select programs will focus on the city’s ongoing rebuilding efforts. Programming will also cover the basics of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System.

In addition to the various green-building programs, meeting attendees will lend a hand in rebuilding the city on April 18 in an effort to “re-green” New Orleans’ City Park. This 1,300-acre park is one of the nation’s largest and sustained more than $43 million in damage from Hurricane Katrina.

Noteworthy programs include:

Thursday, April 16
  • “Alternative Energy 101” features panelists explaining the basics in representing clients on alternative energy projects, 9:15 – 10 a.m.
  • “LEED™ 101 & Beyond…” introduces the LEED Rating System and construction contracts on LEED™ project issues, including certification compliance, post-construction maintenance, warranties and risk-shifting, 10 – 11 a.m.
  • “When ‘Green’ Turns to ‘Red’ and ‘LEEDS’ to a Summons and Complaint: Potential Liability and Green Projects” will address potential liability and performance issues resulting from LEED™, sustainable or green projects and what construction practitioners must do to prepare themselves for these types of cases, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • “Twisting in the Wind – Wind Energy and the Construction Industry,” 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 17
  • “The Green Explosion: The Legislative Impact of Alternative Energy, Climate Change and Sustainability on the Construction Industry,” 11 a.m. – noon

Saturday, April 18
  • “An Update and Overview of the Rebuilding of New Orleans Post-Katrina,” 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
  • “Legal Ethics in Natural Disasters,” 11 a.m. – noon

The ABA Forum on the Construction Industry serves the construction industry through education and leadership. With 6,000 members, the forum is the largest organization of construction lawyers in the world. Its members represent all segments of the construction industry, including owners, design professionals, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, suppliers, insurers and sureties.