Building initiatives raise questions

Feb 8, 2010 — The Indianapolis Star

Bill Ruthhart

Feb. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- All of Indiana's local governments and schools soon could be required to build green buildings.

In an era when taxpayer dollars are being squeezed tighter than ever, proponents of a legislative proposal requiring local officials to build more energy-efficient buildings say their plan boils down to two things: dollars and sense -- common sense.

The design and construction of energy-efficient buildings have come so far in recent years that Rep. Matt Pierce argues government officials can build them at no extra cost while saving taxpayers 40 percent on energy bills over the life of the building.

"Because there's been more experience with these standards, I'm absolutely convinced you can do this for no additional cost," said Pierce, D-Bloomington.

"In a session where we have made it clear over and over again that we care about our taxpayers and we want efficient government, here is a guarantee that when new buildings are built by any level of government, they're going to save taxpayers 40 percent a year on their operations."

The Indiana House recently voted 51-47 to pass House Bill 1063, which would require local governments to erect new buildings that meet the silver rating on the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards. It also allows for local governments to achieve a similar rating on other green building standards. The bill has moved to the Senate.

LEED awards various points for steps taken during construction that reduce water use, provide access to alternative and public transportation, improve energy efficiency, utilize renewable energy, and use recycled or salvaged materials and natural lighting, among other things.

Despite the energy savings, the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns opposes Pierce's bill.

Miriam Dant, a lobbyist for the group, said many of the state's cities and towns already are striving to build green buildings but should not be required by law to do so.

"We are concerned that this is simply not the time to take away the flexibility of local officials," Dant said. "We would just like to maintain the discretion to decide on a case-by-case basis whether this makes sense."

The LEED standards rank buildings by encouraging the use of efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings to reduce water and electricity use. They also award points for maximizing natural lighting and the use of recycled and reused materials while minimizing erosion, water runoff and the impact on nearby ecosystems and waterways.

While the rankings range from a simple verification up to platinum, the vast majority of states that call for LEED standards for new buildings require that the project reach a silver rating.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, 33 states have some form of guidelines, executive order or law that requires green building. Indiana falls into that group because in 2008, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed an executive order requiring all new state buildings to meet LEED's silver certification.

Of those 33 states, however, only nine have passed laws that green standards be required for all public buildings -- the threshold Pierce is pushing.

Dant questioned whether such a law could cost local governments more.

She pointed to an analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency that showed the new building standards could cost as much as 7 percent more to erect. Pierce countered that the fiscal analysts used outdated studies for their information, and that more recent studies have shown that with the proper planning, there are no additional construction costs.

Donald Able, a representative of the American Institute of Architects Indiana, agreed.

"Studies done a few years ago showed a cost of 1 to 3 percent, but I would say that's gone now," Able said. "My firm competes nationally, and if we don't meet these standards, we don't get projects."

Pierce pointed to the Nature Conservancy's current construction of an office building Downtown, where representatives said they are building to LEED's top platinum standard for the same as it would cost to build a traditional building. He also said his bill builds off Daniels' executive order.

But opponents of the bill said that if there is no cost to meeting the green standards, there should be no need to require them.

"Why isn't this happening on its own? Why do we need to mandate the standards?" asked Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville. "If it's the same cost, why don't we just let the natural progression of things take hold and let it happen on its own?"

To save money immediately, Pierce responded.

Such conservation efforts are "extremely important," Daniels said, but he added that he had not had the chance to review Pierce's proposal in detail to assess its full range of consequences.

"The general intention here is a positive one, and we've certainly been trying to encourage it in the way we approach any state construction," Daniels said. "It's like so many other things -- right now is a difficult time. There's a lot of things we'd like to do that we simply can't do right this minute or do as much of as we'd like. So, I'd have to take a close look at it."

HOW TO TAKE THE LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards have six categories that carry 110 possible points, with a score of 40 required to gain certification, 50 for a silver rating, 60 for gold and 80 for platinum. Here's a look at the various categories in which new buildings are scored under the LEED standards:

--Sustainable sites:

Focuses on the use of the land where the building is constructed. Building on previously undeveloped land is discouraged, while the incorporation of bicycling, public transportation, reduced erosion, controlled stormwater runoff and limited outdoor lighting is encouraged.

--Water efficiency:

Encourages smarter use of water inside and outside the building. Points are rewarded for no or limited outdoor irrigation and water reduction inside the building, which is achieved through more efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings.

--Energy and atmosphere:

Strives to reduce electricity and energy usage by awarding points for energy-use monitoring, efficient design and construction, efficient appliances, systems and lighting, and the use of renewable, alternative and clean sources of energy.

--Materials and resources:

Aims to reduce the waste of materials during construction by awarding points for selecting sustainably grown, harvested and produced products and materials. Encourages the use of reused and recycled materials.

--Indoor environmental quality:

Promotes ways and systems that improve indoor air quality. Also awards points for strategies that allow more access to natural daylight and outdoor views.

--Innovation:

Awards bonus points for using new technologies and strategies to improve a building's performance beyond what is required by LEED or not specifically addressed in categories.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

Newstex ID: KRTB-0095-41890959