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Computerworld - SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Its fashionable to try to turn the notion of environmentally friendly computing into a morality play.

But its more likely that eco-IT will take off because of its potential for cost savings and because new technology gear increasingly includes environmental components like energy- or space-saving features, said attendees at Computerworlds Infrastructure Management World conference held here last week.

In an informal poll of the 200-plus attendees, fewer than a dozen people raised their hands when asked whether the push for green IT is a fad. More than 90% said environmentally friendly computing is already a reality.

The poll results are in line with the results of studies done by Jed Scaramella, an analyst at research firm IDC. Green IT is a foregone conclusion; it will be part of your next data center, he said.

When home mortgage company Fannie Mae built an eco-friendly data center rather than a traditional one, the estimated percentage saved on construction costs was in the single digits, Brian Cobb, senior vice president for enterprise systems management and IT.

Fannie Maes two-year-old Urbana, Md., data center recycles water, accommodates bicycles and electric vehicles, and has an air-quality system that removes many harmful chemicals and prevents them from re-entering the building, Cobb said.

He noted that the facility is certified as meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) benchmarks set by the building industrys U.S. Green Building Council. In IT, we have a responsibility to be as efficient as possible, Cobb said. Now Ill always make sure to consider the green component. That doesnt mean well always land on it, but Ill always put it in the mix.

Scaramella also cited rapidly rising IT energy costs as a key reason to turn to eco-friendly technologies.

Ten years ago, about 17 cents out of every dollar spent to purchase and operate a new server went to power and cooling, according to IDC. Today, the cost is 48 cents, said the research firm, and if things dont change, it will eventually grow to 78 cents.

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