Not only is Maryland going green, but the state is also drawing like-minded businesses.
Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services, who entered the Baltimore region as part of its recent merger with Mercantile Bankshares, has grand green plans. A growing trend in developments, environmentally friendly or “green” constructions are built with their surroundings in mind and are able to utilize conservation-oriented technology. After absorbing offices from Mercantile as part of the agreement, PNC will retrofit green building trends into its newest locations when it rebrands the branches this fall, Darcel Kimble, PNC senior manager of external communications, told The Examiner.
“Customers are proud to do business with a socially responsible company, and communities favor new construction and economic growth with minimal impacton local resources,” Gary Saulson, director of corporate real estate at PNC, told GreenBiz.com.
Green construction has long been championed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA reports that buildings in America account for 39 percent of total energy use, 12 percent of total water consumption, 68 percent of total electricity use and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.
“We are getting more and more inquiries regarding ?green living? that correspond to personal eco-values and lifestyle priorities,” said Anna Custer, executive director of Live! Baltimore. Baltimore is seeing more developments and individual rehabs done in the green style, she said.
One thing local businesses are doing to help combat the hefty cost of utilities is to build a living, or green, roof. Two such examples are the Montgomery Business Park in South Baltimore and the BP gas station in Locust Point. The roofs are made up of various plants and grasses on a bed of blended dirt and other minerals and can help absorb rainfall, reduce temperatures and absorb air quality. A green roof allows a company to save money on power and heating while preserving the environment, a report by the Maryland Department of the Environment indicated.
