N.J. environmental building bill is now up to Christie

Legislation to encourage development of environmentally friendly buildings in New Jersey is awaiting action by Gov. Chris Christie.The measure approved by both houses of the Legislature would allow developers to get low-interest loans from the state Economic Development Authority to build energy-efficient commercial and industrial buildings.Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula said Wednesday those so-called green buildings can reduce energy use by about 30 percent.”Technology has advanced so much that we have new materials that are much more insular and also trying to direct them in the right direction like facing south where you get more sun,” he said. “And then making use of other things like geothermal and solar thermal you can really make it energy efficient.”In addition to its environmental benefit, sponsors of the legislation said it will also help create jobs.