Will Falling Energy Prices Stunt the Fledgling "Green" Industry's Growth?

So, not to be personally judgemental, but using the two responses so far as a public opinion barometer, we (Americans) are only paying lip-service to the idea of "green", it's really all about the bottom line in the current market conditions? 

What about the other benefits, both tangible and non-tangible?  Do they factor in at all?

As far as flipping houses goes, green or not doesn't really come into the picture, that is truly a current market situation.

How do you as RE professionals counsel your clients regarding make a "green" purchasing decision?

Nestor & Katerina (don't know which of you commented).

To your assessment of mandating "green", I say AMEN! Get the feds and global climate goons out of it!

I am very much a free-market capitalist.  And as such, I see great value in going green.  Being free market driven, if the need exists, fill it!  And it is along those lines that I can cost justify certain green technologies and construction techniques.

FYI,

If I were to present you the option of two identical looking homes and told you the mortgage payments on these two homes were $1500 and $1740, which would you choose? 

Then, I showed you (as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story")

Insurance:                        $300     $180

Utility pmt:                        $300    $150

Total monthly costs:  $2100 vs $2070 in today's dollars, not counting any energy price increases that we know will be coming.

Now which would you buy?  The lower total monthly out of pocket home is actually $40K more in price.

And that is money in your pocket the first month of ownership.  It is immediate payback.  Those numbers represent a 40% reduction in insurance and a 50% reduction in utility costs. 

The point is, take the government out of it and give people the entire picture, and they will choose what makes sense.

I totally agree with buy what you want.  There are so many other considerations to purchases than just finances. 

And as Lane points out above on a Suburban vs a Prius, he illustrates the point nicely.  Cheaper energy will hinder green industries, all due to market forces.  If green was cost effective before, we'd already have it.

And because of that bit of psychology or market dynamics, many want to limit your choices via legislation, i.e. make it illegal to choose what you want.

If the technology can make the case for itself in the open marketplace, then it will thrive.  And I've been making the market case on these types of homes since 2000.  No smoke and mirrors, no legal threats.

Thanks for the comments.