The "Better Buildings Initiative," which President Obama announced on Feb. 3 during an appearance at Penn State University, is targeting commercial buildings, which the White House says account for about 20% of total U.S.energy consumption.

Obama said the plan could save businesses nearly $40 billion over the next decade in lower energy costs.

The plan has several components, some of which will require congressional action.

They include a proposed new tax credit for commercial-building energy upgrades, to replace the current tax deduction for such improvements.

According to a White House statement, the credit would be "more generous" than the deduction and "will encourage building owners and real estate investment trusts to retrofit their properties." The statement did not specify how large the credit would be.

Andrew Goldberg, the American Institute of Architects' senior director for federal relations, says the current deduction is up to 60 cents per square foot for building upgrades in each of three areas: HVAC systems, shell and lighting.

Another element of the administration's plan would be a new federal grant competition among states and cities with funds going to localities that adopt building codes, regulations and standards that promote energy efficiency in commercial facilities.

Obama said in his speech, "So, if you show us the best ideas to change your game on the ground, we'll show you the money. We will show you the money, states and local governments."

The program would be called "Race to Green," taking off on the Dept. of Education's existing "Race to the Top" for federal aid for schools.

In addition, the White House says the Small Business Administration is encouraging banks to promote lending for energy-efficiency building upgrade projects.

It says Obama's fiscal 2012 budget proposal, expected to be released in mid-February, will include a request for a Dept. of Energy pilot loan-guarantee program for energy improvements at hospitals, schools and commercial facilities.

Design and construction industry groups gave the plan strong marks.

"This is really a win-win for everybody if you can provide some of these incentives to make buildings more efficient," sats the AIA's Goldberg.

The Real Estate Roundtable's president and CEO, Jeffrey D. DeBoer, called the program "an excellent blueprint to re-employ the construction workforce, modernize our built environment and help ensure our nation's energy security."

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, said that "encouraging efficiency upgrades will do much more to safeguard our environment and reduce power consumption than any current 'cap and trade' proposal ever would."