Building Green in Charleston SC - What does that mean?

So the hot thing now is to build green, but what does that mean? According to WIKIPEDIA, Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal — the complete building life cycle. If you build green you can reduce your home operating costs, reduce environmental effects and improve health in the environment. Some green builders try to build the new home to fit the environment using nature as it's guide.
One way to help the environment and be green is to use product with the Energy Star seal. Energy Star is a program created by the EPA in 1992 to reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions by power plants. The Energy Star label can be found on appliances, heat and cooling systems, lighting, home electronics and even buildings.

Energy Star buildings use at least 15% less energy than standard homes. They usually include properly installed insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, energy efficient cooling and heating systems, and Energy Star appliances, lighting, and water heaters.
In Charleston, South Carolina there are several new home builders that build Green. Sabal Homes recently built The Abbey at Wescott Plantation, a town home community in Summerville, SC using the Earthcraft certifications. Many of Brentwood Homes neighborhood's are now being built with Earthcraft homes energy efficient standards. EarthCraft homes are healthier to live in, more comfortable and substantially more energy efficient than standard construction. There are also several custom home builders that use green building standards. One of our partners, Chris Terry owner of CIA Inspections recently went back to his roots of Home Building. Chris saw a local need for a home builder that concentrated on the needs of building green.