Green is definitely the "in" color and marketing buzzword. So many businesses are using the word and the color that many of us are asking: "Who is to say this business, product or service is really good for the environment? Are they just jumping on the bandwagon?"

People in the renewable energy and construction industries have started asking how they could break through the green noise to help people make informed decisions about truly green building techniques and energy-generating products. The question led to the creation of the Idaho Green Energy Business Directory.

The directory is new and in the growth phase. Relevant companies are signing up at a rapid clip. Businesses offering energy-conservation services or green energy-generation products are encouraged to register with the free directory at www.boise.bbb.org. Look for the "BBB For Businesses" area at the center right of the screen. Click on the Green Energy Business Directory link.

The directory is ideal for those offering energy audits, energy-efficiency engineering, green-building practices and materials for residential and commercial customers.

The directory is a result of collaboration among the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, the Better Business Bureau, GreenWorks Idaho, and the Idaho Energy Collaborative.

"With the emergence of more green companies, we want consumers to have a trusted resource to research a company when making buying decisions related to energy conservation products and services," said Paul Kjellander, administrator of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources. "Our goal is to create a one-stop-shop for people to check the validity of businesses offering green products or services."

The directory is free for businesses and consumers and will use the Better Business Bureau's rating formula based on 17 elements that gauge a company's reliability and reputation in the marketplace.

Links to the directory will be included on the front page of the Office of Energy Resources Web site, www.energy.idaho.gov, and partner Web sites, including www.bbb.org.

Remember, if you're researching a green-energy business, the directory is still new, and we're working hard to expand the database. Please check back often as we add more businesses.

The Better Business Bureau is excited about this project because it supports our mission of building trust in the marketplace and is a collaborative initiative that shows nationwide promise. We are specifically addressing the energy marketplace and expect to see this directory duplicated throughout the United States as we set an example for how government and the private sector, including the BBB, can partner to provide a valuable resource to consumers.

Dale Dixon is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, a not-for-profit organization serving Southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. Reach him at 342-4649 or ddixon@boise.bbb.org.