I am very curious how the project in Greenville will turn out. Could this flat land in the middle of the country become a destination for greenies from the world over. Who knows maybe I will go check it out and get a small piece of land to build truly sustianable. Strawbale with earthen plaster. IT is time that we close our energy cycle and enrich local economies. Straw, timber from recyceled buildings and clay can all be harvested in the Greenville area. IT isn't rocket science. Green is good. Green can be and in my opinion should be simple. Simple.
martin

it would be great to see some of the residents break from tradition and build a house that could withstand a tornado - such as a monolithic dome - a steel re-enforced concrete dome

I agree with martin. It seems to me that with all the effort expended on building GREEN, just as much effort should be expended to build safe, green, and earth friendly buildings. Most life time cost analysis for buildings I have found are based on a 75 year life span (please educate me if I am in error). Why not build insulated thin shell reinforced concrete dome structures with life spans measured in centuries rather than decades? My research shows such buildings cost less to build, less to operate, and less to maintain yet offer almost absolute protection from natural and manmade disasters. I neither build nor sell such buildings but do what I can to educate people about them. Most of the people to whom I speak know nothing about Monolithic Dome construction technology. When I first tell of energy reduction most doubt my reports. I then invite them to ask the people who live and work in them. Another advantage is the positive air quality in larger structures such as school buildings, so says the superintendent of Grand Meadow school district.
LEED/Green-
http://static.monolithic.com/thedome/whygreen/index.html
and
http://static.monolithic.com/plan-design/green/index.html