This year’s Greenbuild Expo kicks off today, and I’m … not there. But I will be later this week! It looks to be both inspiring and overwhelming — check out the official program for an eye-blurring good time.

In advance of the event, the U.S. Green Building Council put out the word that it expects the not-at-all-overburdened president-elect Obama to keep his green promises. But how much of a player will green building really be, given the crumbly economy? Lisa Selin Davis will survey the scene in her newest placemaking column, coming later today.