CitiesGoGreen -September 2008 - (Page 20) Economic and Other Returns: 1000% ROI for Boulder Community planners and policy makers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of green building and development. More than good PR, buildings and development impact health, safety, and welfare—the basic responsibilities of the public realm. Because buildings are responsible for 48 percent of carbon dioxide emissions their excessive energy use promotes climate change and consequently increasing drought, wildfires and violent storms—all matters of public safety. Buildings and development impact the health of residents, for good or ill. Green buildings are demonstrably healthier. Healthier and more livable communities ought to be a goal of public policy. Green buildings also pay off economically, and promoting greener building and development can be part of the response to an economic downturn. Fewer dollars spent on operating efficient buildings means more dollars for better uses, either valuable city programs or in citizens’ pockets, where they can circulate locally. As an example of the potential payoffs, the City of Boulder has recently enacted an energy tax (PDF) based on the amount of electricity a household or business uses. Most of Boulder’s electricity comes from coal so this amounts to a carbon tax. The proceeds help fund the City’s Climate Action Plan (PDF) which encourages and supports energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in many ways. The lifetime energy cost savings from these programs are anticipated to be $63 million, assuming no increase in energy costs from the time of writing (September 2006). The tax expires in 2013, with a total anticipated contribution of about $6 million, so the city and its citizens are expecting a 1000 percent return on the investment. Going green is smart in every way. area ratio (FAR) if they meet LEED Silver guidelines. They pay ahead of time for the privilege of adding FAR (which translates to more floors) and are reimbursed for each LEED credit they achieve. One reason LEED has not been adopted wholesale by many jurisdictions for private sector application is the system’s demand for performance documentation with its associated costs. Ironically, local programs are problematic for municipal planners because they generally do not require performance documentation. This conundrum is disappearing, fortunately, as local building organizations add tiers to their programs, which reward or require third-party certification and verification. Thus, the issue of government involvement with too strict or too loose standards will cease to exist. Practical actions Jurisdictions can help by reviewing their codes and regulations with the aim of removing obstacles to green building and development techniques such as composting toilets, rainwater capture and narrower streets. This can remove the redundancy sometimes imposed by building officials, who because there is no explicit permission in the regulatory language may avoid risk by requiring the conventional method, imposing unnecessary costs and obstacles on forward-thinking builders and homeowners. A government can also help incorporate green building and green infrastructure by reviewing its comprehensive plan and integrating green buildings and infrastructure, as the City of Shoreline recently did with our assistance. Kathleen O’Brien has worked in the field of sustainability for nearly 25 years and has won several regional leadership awards. She was most recently recognized as a Cascadia Fellow – a lifetime achievement award from the Cascadia Region Green Building Council. A LEED Accredited Professional and Certified Sustainable Building Advisor, her new book (for the layperson) is The Northwest Green Home Primer (Timberpress). She founded O’Brien & Company in 1991 to assist the public and private sectors in designing programs, plans and policies that support sustainable development. The company consults on green building projects and conducts the Sustainable Development Training Institute. September 2008 2008 Nautilus Book Awards Gold Winner 2008 Axiom Business Book Awards Bronze Winner “An interesting and informative look at money, economics, wealth and what it all means. The lessons in this book provide a timely guide as our society begins the paradigm shift away from crass consumer capitalism toward more sustainable economies and communities where people and the planet matter.” Dean Kubani, Environmental Programs Manager for the City of Santa Monica Available at New Society Publishers www.newsociety.com 1-800-567-6772 ext 111 20 .com http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/files/Environmental%20Affairs/climate%20and%20energy/cap_tax_faq_26mar07_final.pdf http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Environmental%20Affairs/climate%20and%20energy/cap_final_25sept06.pdf http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Environmental%20Affairs/climate%20and%20energy/cap_final_25sept06.pdf http://www.timberpress.com/books/isbn.cfm/9780881927979 http://www.timberpress.com/books/isbn.cfm/9780881927979 http://www.obrienandco.com/ http://www.obrienandco.com/ http://www.newsociety.com http://CitiesGoGreen.com
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