Real Progress: Solving the Green Building Policy Puzzle

Jeremy Sigmon, LEED® AP BD+C
Manager, Building Codes Advocacy
U.S. Green Building Council

Welcome to another extremely busy season for state legislative activity. If you haven’t started paying attention, the action in most states is in high gear, as most state legislatures meet in the first quarter of the year. Some states are even finishing their 2011 sessions and are already closing their doors until next time around.

In nearly every state we’ve seen some real positive ideas drafted into bills, introduced to legislatures, and discussed and debated on the floor—with varying success. While we may expect waning support for the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) in state legislative sessions this year compared with previous sessions –the far narrowed view of the single bottom line has captured much of the limelight – but there are certainly several successes to celebrate along the way:

• The Florida Legislature is considering a bill that would recognize green building as part of the scoring system for competitive loans offered to affordable housing developers in the state. (A similar attempt was made in Mississippi, but the bill died in committee). Green affordable housing is one of the core areas of USGBC’s advocacy and we strongly support policies that lead to better affordable housing.
• Several states are considering the use of LEED as a tool for state-owned and -funded building construction – a leadership by example policy that has been adopted by 26 state governments to date.
• Other states are considering bills that would prioritize permitting for building projects that commit to building green, or invest in retrofitting school buildings to be healthier and more resource- and energy-efficient.
• And despite the down economy, a few states are considering outlays for tax incentives for green homebuilding and retrofits. (See here for a healthy list of green building incentive strategies.

One particular bill in Maryland is worth highlighting, one that would make Maryland the first state to adopt the International Green Construction Code on a large scale. The revised bill is sophisticated in recognizing the distinct and complementary roles of green building codes and green building rating systems (a topic we reviewed in a recent educational webinar with AIA, ASHRAE and ICC). This approach mirrors what I wrote in a previous post and what was spelled out in USGBC’s “Greening the Codes” white paper: We need mandatory codes and standards to improve all buildings on a massive scale, and beyond-code rating systems to continue to encourage and reward leadership in green building. Maryland continues to be a leader in green building policy at both the state and local levels.

The solution to the green building policy puzzle is in both pushes and pulls. We must continue to raise the minimum expectations we have for all buildings. In addition, as clearly stated by this one-sentence bill in California, state lawmaking bodies must “…enact legislation to encourage innovation in green building design and natural building that meets or exceeds all existing health and safety requirements.”

This message is all the more compelling when you realize that this bill is being considered in a state where minimum statewide requirements are already the highest in the country, by way of the California Green Building Standards Code.

The many successes we’ve seen this year already are a testament to the productive partnerships that are growing between green building community members and their lawmakers. USGBC and our chapters will continue to push forwards. Let’s keep up the good work.

USGBC and the Better Buildings Initiative: How Do We Get Started Sooner?

Lane Burt
Technical Policy Director
U.S. Green Building Council

Pretend you are the President of the United States for a minute. The economy has pulled out of the recession, but everyone is cautious about the fragility of the recovery. To get the energy we need, we’re razing mountains in Appalachia and sending billions for oil to undemocratic, unfriendly governments in the Middle East. And last summer oil drilling trashed the Gulf of Mexico and the state economies that depend on it.

So what do you do? Double down on the status quo and sacrifice more of your own country to mining and drilling? Or use less energy so you don’t have to? Seems like an easy choice, but you wouldn’t think so from listening to some members of Congress.

But where are the opportunities to use less energy? According to McKinsey and Company, most of the $1.2 Trillion (!!!) efficiency opportunity is in buildings. And where are the largest efficiency opportunities in the building sector? Well, the biggest buildings of course. Last month, President Obama announced an initiative designed to do just that.

The Better Buildings Initiative seeks to cut energy consumption in commercial buildings by 20 percent, while saving businesses $40 billion…per year! That’s money that will be spent on salaries and supplies rather than in just keeping the (inefficient) lights on. Click here for a section by section explanation of BBI.

Of course the USGBC community is thrilled to have the President add commercial buildings to his overall efficiency focus. Many of the elements of the Initiative are actions we have long championed (see our report of Executive Authorities available to encourage energy efficiency in commercial buildings, or our memo on our top 3 priorities sent in just a few days before the announcement, and we look forward to working with the White House and Congress to make them a reality. As our CEO, Rick Fedrizzi, said during the White House call that followed the announcement, the only question USGBC member companies and chapter members have, is “How can we get started sooner?”

Click here for the detailed breakdown of BBI.

Inviting your Organization to Join the Coalition for Green Schools

Charles J. Saylors
President
National PTA

I’m asking you to join the Coalition for Green Schools not just as the President of the National PTA, but also as a parent, school board trustee and construction professional. In each of these roles I continue to see all sides of the ongoing debate about the need for better school buildings. Our children deserve a safe, secure, healthy and technologically equal learning environment.

When the National PTA joined the Executive Committee of the Coalition for Green Schools, I was excited to join a forum with some of the leading national educational and environmental organizations around such an important topic. In the year and a half since the Coalition first convened, I’ve worked alongside leaders from teachers’ unions, school boards, administrators and experts in design and education, and I’ve confirmed that while we all have much at stake on this critical issue, we also all have much to add. In order for all of our children to experience the benefits of green schools, all of our organizations must work together.

And that’s why I’m writing today. I’m pleased to invite your organization to join the general membership of the Coalition for Green Schools. Right now, the Coalition Executive Committee collectively represents more than 10 million members. By opening general membership we hope this new pathway for engagement will increase this number and collectively bring our important message to every American. Membership is free, and open to any organization, company or school. In joining, your group will receive regular updates about the national green schools movement, as well as information about networking opportunities and ways to collaborate to advance the vision of green schools for everyone within this generation.

For more information, and to fill out an application online, visit www.centerforgreenschools.org/coalition.

The Coalition for Green Schools
The Center for Green Schools at USGBC works with an alliance of the nation’s leading educational and environmental associations, including the American Architectural Foundation, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, National PTA, National School Boards Association and many others to convene the Coalition for Green Schools. The coalition is in pursuit of a common mission: provide every child in America with a green school.

Gridlock on Government Spending as the House and Senate Duel Over Funding Cuts

Bryan Howard
Legislative Director
U.S. Green Building Council

On Wednesday, the United States Senate failed to break a stalemate on dueling proposals to fund operations of the federal government through the rest of the fiscal year. The Senate, largely on party lines, failed to advance the House of Representatives proposal that would cut federal government programs by over $60 billion. A number of the provisions in the House-passed bill would have a chilling effect on key green building programs, while impeding progress on the nation’s economic recovery and future competitiveness. (You can read more about those cuts in my previous post, Green Building on the Chopping Block in House Spending Measure.)

A substitute to the House bill, advanced by Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (Hawaii) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada), reduced or rejected many of these proposed cuts to important green building programs included in the House-passed bill, but unfortunately this new proposal was also rejected. The Senate bill would have reduced overall federal spending by $50 billion under the President’s request and $5 billion compared to H.R. 1.

With the Senate continuing to lack consensus on a path forward and the House of Representatives prepping a short-term funding stop gap, it appears the battle over the budget is far from over. Stay tuned for future updates the ongoing budget discussions, and how they are impact green building programs.

Preliminary Summary of Funding Reductions Based on Fiscal Year 2010:
Federal Building Fund at the General Services Administration (GSA):
H.R. 1: cuts $1.6 billion
Inouye/Reid: cuts $900 million

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) office at the Department of Energy (DOE):
H.R. 1: cuts $786 million
Inouye/Reid: cuts $288 million

HOPE VI the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
H.R. 1: eliminates program $250 million
Inouye/Reid: cuts $50

Energy Star at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
H.R. 1: cuts $10 million
Inouye/Reid: N/A

DOE and NREL: Zero Energy Building with Zero Added Costs?

Hope Lobkowicz
Manager, Policy
U.S. Green Building Council

DOE and NREL: Zero Energy Building with Zero Added Costs? That's what I call Global Leadership. Now Let's Keep it Up.

On Thursday and Friday of last week, member countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group got together to discuss the state of green building, building efficiency standards, and codes within APEC economies. The United States is the 2011 host of this prestigious, trade-based multilateral process, made up of 21 participating countries that comprise approximately 60% of world GDP and more than half of global trade.

At the workshop - Green Buildings and Green Growth: The Enabling Role of Standards and Trade - it became abundantly clear that countries are moving at an astounding pace to implement sustainable building practices and other strategies to reduce energy use. While I was tickled to hear about Chile's new residential energy labeling initiative, and Indonesia's new 'Greenship' rating system, I couldn't help but think as the workshop went on: What is it going to take to maintain U.S. leadership on green buildings?

As if to read my mind, USA at APEC did not disappoint. At the end of the two-day workshop, Roland Risser, Program Manager of Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program, wowed the crowd with a splendid testimonial of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)'s Research Support Facility in Golden, Colo. – the largest zero energy commercial building in the country, which was designed and constructed to LEED Platinum standards with zero added costs. With the Better Buildings Initiative (BBI) in his back pocket, Risser had no problem showcasing to everyone in the room that the United States is, and has been, the trend-setter in green buildings.

But we can't quit there. Something tells me USA can't chalk up a W just yet on green buildings. If we are competing against the rest of the world for an edge on the green tech industry and the jobs it will bring, the game isn't nearly over. As the APEC workshop illustrated, there is literally a gaggle of countries that have sprouted green building industries in the last few years that are now growing at lightning speed. Singapore, for instance, has witnessed a 15-fold increase in gross floor area of green buildings in the past five years. They also have a national goal to increase energy efficiency by 35% by 2030 above 2005 levels. When surveyed, 76% of APEC economies reported voluntary green building codes or rating systems for commercial buildings. Meanwhile, China is beating the United States in high-tech manufacturing exports. The list goes on. (As a reminder folks… the European Union isn't mentioned here because it is not part of the APEC process… lest we forget about that global green giant and their magnificent green targets and timetables.)

So what's a green building trendsetter like the United States to do? Well for goodness' sake, keep on, keepin' on! For the budget makers on the Hill: the United States has the lead – let's not lose it. Now, when we are on the cusp of a new energy revolution and zero energy buildings have just barely begun to break the cost curve, don't slash the White House request for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Instead, set the partisan rhetoric aside and start working with the White House on crafting new policies to help us stay competitive. You can focus on BBI and tax policy for starters.

And for the Administration: Listen to Roland. His theme on Friday was, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Meaningful political commitment to sustainability has proven to be a catalyst for successful implementation and private sector action.

Now how about a few more of those zero energy buildings?

Overcoming Zoning and Code-Based Challenges to Build Sustainable Communities

Aaron Lande
Sustainable Cities Specialist
U.S. Green Building Council

The LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system has been out in the marketplace and available to developers for several months now. With its release, interest continues to grow, both among local governments seeking a tool to achieve sustainability goals; and developers looking for a way to distinguish and strengthen their communities and cut carbon emissions.

Unfortunately, LEED for Neighborhood Development is met with many challenges from existing zoning standards that reflect a bias against compact development, ranging from density maximums, to parking minimums, to bans on mixed use zoning. This all reflects the now outdated mindset of planners and policy makers from generations past, who were ruled by the automobile.

Since the benefits of sustainable communities, like the kind fostered by LEED for Neighborhood Development, are incredibly far-reaching and impactful, finding methods to work with outdated standards or change existing codes altogether is crucial. Sustainable communities promote:

• Economic diversity
• Greater convenience for residents by ensuring that the essentials for everyday life (work, food, entertainment) are accessible without having to drive
• A sense of comunity and civic engagement, leading to increased safety
• Public health by allowing residents to walk and bike through their communities

The good news is that strides are being made to reduce the challenges that Neighborhood Development projects face, improving the ease in which walkable, sustainable communities can be incorporated in to our cities. USGBC is currently working with Pace University’s Land Use Law Center, with funding from the Oram Foundation: Fund for Environment & Urban Life, to develop a technical assistance manual and model overlay zone for local governments to work to remove these code barriers. These resources will be made available to local governments in the fall.

Also, USGBC is now hosting an exhibit about LEED for Neighborhood Development, enabling our staff to work with local governments to raise awareness of the program and enact policy change. The Neighborhoods Go Green exhibit, which USGBC co-curated with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and Farr Associates, has been on display at the Chicago Architecture Foundation since. Nov. 14, and will soon be open at the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C., from Mar. 14-Apr. 21. As part of the exhibit, USGBC assembled panels in Chicago and D.C. (forthcoming), consisting of local chapter members, and state and local government officials and staff to discuss how to encourage LEED for Neighborhood Development projects, and how to remove existing barriers to sustainable communities.

In line with efforts to promote modern zoning codes and remove blocks to sustainable community projects, it’s worth noting that many LEED for Neighborhood Development projects have spurred important code-related changes or solutions within their communities.

In Cleveland, Ohio, three high-profile LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot projects have given the city an opportunity to rethink how to create policies and tools to support green projects. With close involvement from the city, project team members and representatives from the Cleveland Foundation were able to create a set of green design guidelines that acted as an overlay for the three project sites. This meant that projects teams did not have to seek individual variances each time LEED for Neighborhood Development principles conflicted with current regulations. Similar success was seen in Nashville, Tenn., when the city adopted a new Downtown Code (DTC) in response to numerous projects seeking rezoning or variances.

Above all, LEED is a powerful tool for communities looking to reduce their carbon emissions, and can help local governments rethink the regulations and design of their communities. Roughly 38% of carbon emissions in the U.S. can be attributed to buildings, with another 30% coming from the transportation sector. Redesigning our communities to better promote walkability and alternative forms of transportation, practices fostered by programs like LEED for Neighborhood Development, will go a long way toward reducing carbon emissions and accomplishing the goals set forth in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Working to overcome code-based challenges is an important step in getting there.

More information:
LEED for Neighborhood Development is a voluntary rating system that incorporates the principles of smart growth, New Urbanism and green building into a national standard. It was developed in partnership by the U.S. Green Building Council, Natural Resources Defense Council and Congress for the New Urbanism. For more information, consult the Local Government Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development and stay tuned for additional resources this spring.

What’s Holding Us Back From the Global Efficiency Opportunity?

Hope Lobkowicz
Manager, Policy
U.S. Green Building Council

What if you were told that the United Nations, scientists, and economists had already identified the biggest opportunity for greenhouse gas emission reductions? That the key strategies for pursuing that opportunity were also the least costly to society?

And finally—what if these greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies worked in tandem with successful economic development of emerging economies, and to the long-term resiliency of communities?

Are you on the edge of your seat yet? Maybe you know where we’re going with this. The opportunity that the U.N., the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the World Economic Forum, and countless other climate and economic experts are talking about is none other than the world's building stock.

Experts have identified the building sector as having the single greatest potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions worldwide, with efficiency holding the key to slash emissions from homes and office buildings by nearly 30% by 2020, at no net cost. They have also determined that this strategy can be highly profitable, with economic benefits for whole societies.

Despite this golden nugget of knowledge we have about the impact of the building sector, the international community has a long way to go before we begin to capture the opportunity before us. That’s why USGBC, together with over 40 other environmental organizations, businesses, and green building councils around the world are calling for Global Leadership in Our Built Environment (GLOBE). The recently launched GLOBE Alliance is a group of like-minded organizations from 18 countries that will advocate for policies, technologies, and financial instruments for sustainable buildings and transportation infrastructure.

An immediate attention to buildings and infrastructure is particularly important in the developing world, for both the planet and for the economies of growing nations. The IPCC estimates building-related greenhouse gas emissions will nearly double by the year 2030 under a high-growth development scenario, with this increase concentrated largely in poor regions of the world. But while the U.S. and other industrialized states must work with poor countries to develop strategies for sustainable new construction, we must at the same time lead the way in retrofitting our own energy-sucking, water-gobbling, money-burning existing building stock. The financial benefits of doing so aren’t chump change – the efficiency gurus at McKinsey & Company estimate that the U.S. could save $1.2 trillion in the next decade by investing in building efficiency measures.

The question of how we pair economic growth with sustainability—both here at home and around the world—is intricately tied to the concept of the ‘green economy.’ This conversation is already underway at the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), which will be discussing buildings and sustainable production and consumption at its next meeting this May, and again in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 (known as the Earth Summit or Rio +20). In the meantime, Congress and the Obama Administration can do their part to make headway on energy efficiency policies here in Washington, and assist other countries in doing the same. A combination of U.S. leadership and international political will can go a long way in unlocking the energy savings, economic savings, and emission savings that buildings present.

Related:

• From Cancún Compromises to Concrete Action: We Don't Need a Binding Deal to Act Now on Efficiency
  (Huffington Post)
• The 'Green Economy' and Earth Summit 2012: Why fast-growing mega-cities with challenges of poverty and hunger may hold the key to a sustainable future
  (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Green Building as a Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy: Who Made the Case At COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico?
  (USGBC)