ENNACTING GREEN LEGISLATION – MAKING BUILDINGS MORE EFFICIENT

February 3, 2010 on 12:56 am | In Green Building, Green Cities, Solutions, Trends, U.S. Government, Uncategorized |

ENNACTING GREEN LEGISLATION – MAKING BUILDINGS MORE EFFICIENT

By Jodi Summers

So much for our government to do…and high on the list of Republicans and Democrats alike is the greening of existing buildings. In June legislation was approved by the House of Representatives (by a tally of 219-212) to control climate change by limiting heat- trapping pollution and creating a trading system for pollution permits. The bill calls for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions from 2005 levels by 17 percent by 2020, and 83 percent by mid- century.

Think of it as a new world order. Society as we know it will change drastically in the next decade….

To get the United States back on track, policy groups are encouraging President Barack Obama to back a $500 billion plan to make U.S. buildings more energy-efficient.

The Center for American Progress, a research group that advises Democrats, and the Energy Future Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance have united to present a national proposal, which is not unlike California’s 2010 initiative. In a perfect world, the plan would increase the energy efficiency of 40 percent of commercial and residential $1,200 a year in energy costs, while saving businesses significantly more money in utilities.

The policy groups say moving forward with green initiatives is imperative for several reasons.

1. aid the economic recovery

2. increase energy security

3. reduce global warming

“Rapidly improving the efficiency of our existing buildings is essential,” declare both local policy groups.

The proposed funding - $500 billion - would come from a combination of public and private funds, details forthcoming.

The report states, “National policy leadership is required immediately to launch a nationwide energy-efficient retrofit industry.”

**

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=apuGuQhfFQkQ

http://www.scienceprogress.org/

http://willscullypower.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/online-advertisers-continue-to-battle-with-congress/

http://assembly.state.ny.us/member_files/036/20070130/

http://www.greencollarblog.org/oregon_green_jobs/

http://www.energyfuturecoalition.org/What-Were-Doing/Renewable-Energy-25×25

http://matgiordano.com/blog/?p=81

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  1. The Earth Advantage Institute reported that design professionals should watch for the following green trends in 2010: (1) homes connected to the smart grid, (2) energy labeling for homes and buildings; (3) BIM software advances, (4) financial community buy-in to green building; (5) “rightsizing” of homes; (6) eco-districts; (7) water conservation; (8) carbon calculations; (9) net zero buildings; and (10) sustainable building education.

    Comment by Earth Advantage Institute — February 5, 2010 #

  2. AB 32 AUTHOR DEFENDS CLIMATE CHANGE LAW

    Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) one of the original and strongest proponents of California Climate Change laws has penned an article responding to recent criticisms of the law. In an effort to make sure our members understand both side of the argument, here is a piece by the author.

    “When AB 32, California’s landmark global warming law, was being debated in the legislature, a coalition of polluters and their misguided allies opposed the bill. This week these same opponents, who have also fought against clean air and water quality laws, are unveiling an initiative to suspend AB 32, predicting the sky will fall if the law is implemented. They predict that thousands of Californians would lose their jobs, and it will crush small businesses. There are even blaming the current loss of jobs on AB 32, but new emission reductions don’t even begin until 2012, and then are gradually phased in by 2020.”

    Comment by Senator Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) — February 5, 2010 #

  3. The Preservation Green Lab is partnering with the City of Seattle and the New Buildings Institute to pioneer a new energy code compliance framework (for both new and existing buildings) based on actual post-construction performance outcomes. With outcome-based codes, building owners will have the flexibility to pursue whatever retrofit strategies they deem appropriate for their individual buildings, but in return are required to achieve a pre-negotiated performance target on an ongoing basis.

    The ultimate goal of an outcome-based code framework is full accountability for energy performance of all buildings, with complete flexibility in how to achieve it. What works in Seattle will work in other places – and the
    goal is to replicate this innovative model code throughout the country.

    Comment by Patrice Frey — May 20, 2010 #

  4. The legal analysis, “Using Executive Authority to Achieve Greener Buildings: A Guide for Policymakers to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency in Multifamily Housing and Commercial Buildings,” recommends a number of ways the Obama administration can use existing programs to enhance building efficiency including:

    * Reforming appraisal and underwriting practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Greening federal banking regulations
    * Promoting flexible FHA insurance products
    * Integrating energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into competitive grants and funding formulas
    * Strengthening minimum property standards for federal housing and economic development programs to reflect energy efficiency and sustainability standards
    * Improving performance standards applicable to federal buildings and leases
    * Refining guidance applicable to the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction and the national historic preservation tax credit
    * Using SBA funding mechanisms to support small business energy efficiency investments
    * Streamlining Title 17 loan guarantees to make them suitable for buildings

    Read more: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/04/30/obama-already-has-72b-tap-green-buildings-study-says#ixzz0odbLbtaA

    Comment by Greenbiz.com — May 21, 2010 #

  5. According to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), the country is all set to become the global leader by 2015 with over 1 billion sq ft of green building footprint.

    “Until 2007 January, there were only 40 green buildings registered by the IGBC, of which only four were certified. We now have 532 green buildings registered, of which 77 have been certified (Of these 532, around 350 are commercial buildings and the rest are residential). Mumbai is the forerunner, followed by Chennai and then Bengaluru” aver-red Dr Prem C. Jain, chairman, IGBC.

    Comment by Deccan Chronicle — May 21, 2010 #

  6. Instituting a 10-year retrofit program for the country’s commercial spaces could save $41.1 billion in energy expenses every year, according to a new report by Pike Research.

    According to the report, as of 2010, more than 80 percent of commercial buildings in the U.S. were more than 10 years old. Pike estimated that a 10-year retrofit program would cost a total of $22.5 billion over its 10-year span.

    Comment by Environmental Leader — August 14, 2010 #

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