Jim Himes has an Earth Day op-ed in the Connecticut Post that’s not so much about what you can do for the earth, but what doing good for the earth can do for you:

For years, I led the New York office of Enterprise Community Partners, an affordable housing non-profit. There, we made a substantial commitment to green building. The environmental benefits of green building are obvious: green buildings conserve and reuse valuable resources, are healthier, and use less energy. And that matters because 40% of the energy we use is consumed in our homes and offices.

So green building makes clear economic sense. Under some circumstances, Energy Star appliances, energy saving windows, and smart heating and cooling systems can reduce utility bills by as much as 75%. Green roofs lower heating and air conditioning costs, reduce heat-island effects, and extend the life of a structure. Rainwater and grey water capture systems lower water bills by recycling water already in use. Non-toxic products like low-VOC paints and green carpeting and flooring are healthier for inhabitants and reduce health care costs down the road.

Best of all, green technology creates “green collar” jobs. These jobs are generally well paid, career-track jobs that range from low-skill entry-level positions to high-skill higher-paid jobs. Many are in construction, installation, maintenance, and other industries. And, unlike the manufacturing jobs that Stamford, Norwalk, and Bridgeport have lost in recent years, they cannot be outsourced. In short, green building is a win-win-win proposition. Green buildings are healthier to live in, better for the environment, and a source of good jobs.

Being green saves you money and can earn you some money. That’s win-win where I come from.

One of the things I like about Jim Himes is that he’s not using this op-ed to tell us to buy those re-usable shopping bags, or switch some of our incandescents for CFLs — we already know that — he is explaining the long-term benefits of environmental consciousness we can reap right here in Connecticut. How much better will the future in the 4th CD will look when Jim Himes applies his Enterprise Community Partners experience in congress? A lot.