Public Power - September 2008 - (Page 46)

Kansas City Stages a ‘Build Green’ Show “ there is a new environmentalism,” said Pat Cassidy, director of environmental services at the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities in Kansas. “The movement was led by people who were perceived to be extremists years ago, but now it is driven from the corporate level down and from the bottom up. Everyone needs to be part of it.” If Cassidy had his way, everyone would be part of it. The Kansas City utility sponsored its third annual “Build Green” conference last April. The meeting included everyone from environmentalists already connected with the building industry to those interested in learning more. J.P. Blackford, environmental services engineer for the American Public Power Association, spoke at the conference and described programs in place at public power utilities to champion green building practices and energy efficiency in their communities. Examples in Blackford’s presentation included: • Pasadena Water and Power has one of the first city halls in the nation to be run by green power. • Sacramento Municipal Utility District received the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest award for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for its customer service center. • Austin, Texas, created the country’s first comprehensive green building program that includes using sustainable building techniques in residential, multifamily, commercial and municipal construction. • In 2000, Austin’s City Council passed a resolution requiring all municipal buildings to meet the LEED silver rating standard. • City Utilities of Springfield, Mo., retrofitted its James River Power Station with energy-efficient lighting, reducing energy consumption by 1,039-megawatt-hours per year. • The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power distributed 50,000 free energyefficient refrigerators to low-income customers. Participating customers are expected to save approximately 62 kilowatt-hours per month, about $60 per 46 SEPTEMBER 2008 Today, BY CATHY SWIRLBUL year. Over the life of the refrigerator, each customer will save approximately $1,000 on utility bills. The 50,000 refrigerators are being purchased as part of a $25 million agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority. • The Omaha Public Power District partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a state-of-the-art energy-efficient single-family home. The home will be rated Energy Star compliant by the U.S. Department of Energy. Its efficiency will be measured and tracked, and the findings will be applied to future energy-smart home construction. The energy costs for the home during its first year of use are estimated at just $300. “At APPA, we encourage our municipalities to lead by example,” Blackford said. McDowell provided several examples of buildings his firm designed with environmental practices in mind, including: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources headquarters, a platinum-level, LEED-certified building, has an advanced mechanical system that is 56 percent more energy efficient than a basic system. The building also uses no potable water for flushing and landscaping. • The Applebee’s International Support Center reduced energy use by 21 percent through atrium sun control and glazing, an enhanced building envelope, and the use of interior light shelves and dimming ballasts. JE Dunn Construction also shares a commitment to the environment. The company, based Kansas City, Mo., has 39 LEED-certified construction projects and employs more than 200 LEED-accredited professionals, said Dave Barber, vice presi- Companies operating in LEED-certified buildings tend to out-perform their competitors by about 20 percent. “We can’t force residents and businesses to be energy-efficient, but we can pave the way for them.” Also at the conference, an architectural firm and a construction company, both with projects nationwide, shared how their companies are building green. “One of my firm’s objectives is to pursue environmental integration,” said Steve McDowell, president of BNIM Architects. McDowell defines environmental integration as rethinking the intent, design and construction process of buildings to sustain and restore the environment. Being environmentally sensitive positively impacts a company’s bottom line, he said. Companies operating in LEED-certified buildings tend to out-perform their competitors by about 20 percent. Green buildings cut energy costs by 30 percent or more, carbon emissions by 35 percent, water use by 30 to 50 percent and waste costs by 50 to 97 percent, McDowell said. dent of the company. Barber explained how his company is developing a greener office culture. For example, the staff is encouraged to print double-sided, avoid printing e-mails, and use Web or video conferencing whenever possible to replace driving and flying. Styrofoam cups have been replaced with biodegradable cups made from corn. Bottled water is being phased out and will be replaced with large refillable water jugs. A more intensive recycling program for paper, plastic, aluminum, steel, and cardboard has just been implemented. An educational program will be launched with the new JE Dunn headquarters building, and will include public tours and information on the sustainable features of the building. The company is investigating the use of compressed natural gas vehicles, which have very low emission rates. JE Dunn is phasing in green practices on job sites too. For example, crews will recycle PUBLIC POWER

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - September 2008

Public Power - September 2008 Contents Perspective 10 Questions What’s Good About RTOs? Capturing Coal’s Carbon Carbon Safety Valves Greater Glass, Greater Savings Getting Customers to Embrace Compact Fluorescent Lights LEEDing Green Kansas City Shows How to Build Green For Governing Boards Safety Community Broadband Hometown Connections Parting Shot

Public Power - September 2008

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