As an advocate for green building, I believe that the real work of creating a more energy efficient, durable, and sustainable abode begins with the home owner's ability to make informed choices. Close behind is the need for builders to have the knowledge, gumption, and incentive to produce a better product. Of course the trades also play a huge role in actually building the better home. But even at the local level, Washington can, and must, play a part in encouraging residential construction to go green.

How big a part is, of course, a debatable question.

But where is the debate?

We now are in the final weeks of this Presidential campaign, and I haven't heard either side really speak to the sluggishness of new construction. Mortgage companies are being shuffled like playing cards, but where are the bullet points and plans for builders? While both parties rattle sabers about energy policies, conservation (current and future) seems to be a back-burner issue.

It may be asking too much of McCain and Obama to dedicate any of their valuable air-time to topics like better insulation, offsetting the initial costs of tighter built homes, or touting the benefits of solar panels. Still, when the housing market took a tumble it captured headlines globally, and as far as I can tell, we aren't out of the slump yet.

This issue touches many of the hot-buttons in our society today like energy policy and natural resources, labor and immigration, financing and interest rates, health and the homeless.

Do they have a plan? If not, what would you do if you were the next President? Which party/candidate is in the best position to boost new home starts, and where should the focus be to help builders craft a greener home?