It is nearly impossible to escape the green buzz in the building industry—some investment banks are extending additional credit and loan capacity to green developers and builders, a number of insurers are providing or considering providing premium credits and policies for sustainable building, challenges of zero carbon buildings are being made for the year 2030, various systems are now used to attain sustainable building certification, and many governmental entities on the federal, state, and municipal levels are legislating sustainable building. The reasons for green and sustainable activity are as varied as the activities themselves, ranging from claims of a world energy crisis and environmental advocacy to claims of market differentiation, return on investment, and the need for high performance, energy-efficient buildings. Is it possible that sureties will be drawn into this often confusing and dynamic morass? Unequivocally, the answer is yes. For better or for worse, building industry professionals are becoming actively involved in sustainable building. For example, over 60% of the workshops at the 2007 AIA National Convention will address sustainable building. Engineering News Record’s February 12, 2007 issue is wholly devoted to sustainable building. Other organizations such as the Association of General Contractors are carefully thinking about how to most appropriately address the arena of sustainable building for their constituents. While most agree that the goals of sustainable building are laudable, often the claims made about sustainable buildings are conflicting and unsupported by the facts. Some claim that sustainable buildings cost no more than conventional buildings; others claim that the costs range from 2–3%; still other claim the costs average 7–10% or higher. Sustainable buildings have been touted to improve occupant health and productivity, operation and maintenance, and energy efficiency. Some opine that the only way to accomplish sustainable building is through legislation, while others believe the market should drive innovation in the industry. While an analysis of the veracity of anthropogenic and epidemiological studies that constitute claims for sustainable buildings is beyond the scope of this paper, undoubtedly, sustainable building is here to stay. As many government entities begin to legislate sustainable buildings, the surety’s role is increasingly implicated. Generally, legislation has taken the form of a mandate for some particular type of certification system. The two most prominent systems in the U.S. are Green Globes by the Green Building Initiative GBI and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED by the U.S. Green Building Council USGBC . The most legislated sustainable building certification system in the U.S. is LEED,