Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 - (Page 21)

the green Obama’s “Innovative Measures” Promise Hope for Greening Our Buildings by Stephen Ashkin scene a “If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians.” -Warren Buffett have them in your wishing well, the new policies promise great news for all of us. If all goes as planned, new Federal buildings will have zero emissions by 2025, and will enjoy being 40 percent more efficient in reducing energy consumption within just the next five years. Existing Federal buildings will also be targeted for dynamic upgrades in environmental performance—with goals of a 25 percent increase in energy efficiency within five years and a massive undertaking by prioritizing retrofitting the existing buildings to reach the standards of their program. For business buildings, new and existing, the plan is just as aggressive. The administration plans to use “innovative measures to dramatically improve efficiency of buildings.” Specifically, they will create a set of National Building Efficiency Goals, making all new buildings carbon neutral—producing zero emissions—by the year 2030, and create a national goal of “improving new building efficiency by 50 percent and existing building efficiency by 25 percent over the next decade to help us meet the 2030 goal.” As the dust still settles from the 2008 Presidential Election, we should all take the time (if we have not already done so) to dissect the changes and programs that are promised to come with the new administration. Whichever side of “the aisle” we happen to fall, all of us will be impacted by the environmental issues prioritized by the Obama/Biden Administration and the efficiency in how they are implemented. Obviously, most of us are aware that the current economic situation must give us pause as to just how many of the promised new programs of the administration can reasonably be expected to implement. However, we can all feel optimistic that the pending Green programs on tap—those that will affect us as executive housekeepers and good stewards of our planet— are being prioritized by a majority of leaders as necessary changes to the national energy policy. And what is also great news is that these programs are based upon providing grants to public and private buildings. For those of you in an existing public building that seeks financial assistance to help fund a retrofitting program, there is a program for you. If you have dreams of constructing a new business building that follows LEED guidelines, you may also be eligible for financial assistance. Whether you have been ahead of the curve and initiating sustainable elements within the structures of your business or organization for years, or you simply “Flipping Incentives” and Setting Goals In the “Barack Obama and Joe Biden: Promoting a Healthy Environment” fact sheet, details are reported regarding how the incoming administration will confront climate change, complete with specific measures regarding energy management and the soundness of new and existing governmental and business buildings. First of all, Obama and Biden appear determined to do some heavy tinkering with the EPA and Federal Energy Efficiency Codes, and “flip incentives” with energy utilities. According to the plan, utilities that implement efficient programs and then pass the savings on to their customers will “ensure the utilities get increased profits” for promoting and practicing energy conservation, as opposed to allowing utilities to enjoy heightened profits through the practice of energy mismanagement and waste. The Obama/Biden plan promises to place the Federal government as the leader by example in a grand effort to save electricity and cut emissions from all Federal buildings. Not only do they prioritize the overhauling of the Federal Efficiency Codes, but they ensure these codes will be regularly updated with new efficiency standards as technology advances and needs arise. Show Me the Money A grant program for “Early Adopters” promises to help expedite their efforts during this time of an economic downturn. These competitive grants will be awarded to states and localities that take the first steps. In other words, pioneers and self-starters (such as many of you!) in implementing new building codes and programs that prioritize energy efficiency, retrofitting, (continued on page 27) December 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 2

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 Contents Executive Corner Microfiber May Impede an Infectious Disease Outbreak Controlling MRSA Outbreaks in Educational Facilities Frugal Housekeeper Restroom Hygiene IEHA Hosts Progressive Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM)™ Symposium Feature Article The Green Scene 2006-2008 EHT Article Index USGBC Tip Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members REH/CEH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.