As growth continues in the Triangle, energy efficiency is becoming a public and private concern.

A bill has been introduced in the North Carolina Senate that would authorize the Town of Cary to give developers incentives to build energy-efficient homes and offices.

Custom home builder Rex Bost, who has been building "green" for 10 years, said he thinks the legislation would benefit developers and could go further to help builders. Overall, he said he thinks the legislation would get a positive response.

"We need to conserve because of all the growth we're facing," Bost said. "I think it's much needed and I think it'll continue the momentum that's already started."

The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Janet Cowell, said one incentive would be give developers permission to build more in an area than allowed under current zoning regulations, providing the units are energy efficient. She said that could lead to other benefits.

"Maybe less traffic burden, less need for infrastructure if people are building a little more densely, building downtown, using water more efficiently so the city doesn't have to go out and build a new water plant," Cowell said.

"The overall community benefits by reducing the need for energy consumption going forward which of course we all pay for," said Erv Portman, Cary Town Councilman.

The bill has been assigned to a committee. Cowell hopes there will be a vote on it within the next few weeks.