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Comment 23 for Green Building Comments for the GHG Scoping Plan (sp-greenbuild-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Wes
Last Name: Sullens
Email Address: wsullens@stopwaste.org
Affiliation: StopWaste.Org
Subject: Include the cross-cutting benefits of green building
Comment:
The cross-cutting benefits of green building include the reduction of energy use, waste generation, water use, and transportation demands due to the location of projects. While the energy benefits of building green are well known, only recently have the cross-cutting benefits of green building been calculated with any certainty. In a recently released report by our agency and Build It Green, we estimate the avoided emissions of building green homes in California are substantial, especially when non-energy benefits are included in savings projections. Our study found that savings are greatest from buildings that result in less vehicle miles traveled per resident, as in transit oriented developments. The next greatest source of savings come from energy: conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy generation. Large, one-time emissions reductions from construction and demolition waste recycling, as calculated using the EPA WARM model, are also substantial and can equal energy savings for the first 1-3 years of occupancy per new home. Page C-93 of the Appendix states: ¡ÈAccounting only for potential GHG savings that arise from reductions in energy and water use and from the recycling of construction debris, preliminary estimates are that green building measures can reduce California GHG emissions by approximately 28.5 MMTCO2E in the year 2020.54 Of this, 25.5 MMTCO2E comes from energy savings, and the additional GHG savings come from reductions in water and solid waste. For purposes of the Draft Scoping Plan, we are considering green buildings to be a mechanism that enables GHG reductions in other sectors. For example, green building strategies are what make it possible to reach the targets set for electricity and natural gas reductions. In order to avoid double counting, the ARB is not counting any of the green building measures as 'additional' GHG reductions, but this may change as ARB staff gains a better understanding of the interactions between the sectors.¡É We strongly encourage the ARB to include ¡Èadditional¡É GHG reductions from green buildings in the scoping plan. To this end, and to avoid double counting, we suggest the ARB develop protocols for addressing emissions reductions related to single buildings. We stand ready to assist in this endeavor. Thank you, Wes Sullens Program Manager Green Building in Alameda County A program of StopWaste.Org
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-08-11 22:06:37
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