International Green Construction Code: Game-Changer in Sustainable Building

by George H. Miller, FAIA

For the last decade, green building rating systems have been the top standard for designing sustainable buildings, but at the end of the day, they are non-enforceable guidelines. Because buildings are the largest contributors of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, it's become clear in recent years that a more rigorous and complete set of rules are needed for green and sustainable building. The work needed to formalize a code to address sustainability has been a major industry challenge - that is, until now.

A new proposal - currently being developed by the International Code Council (ICC) with involvement from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a group of partner organizations - called the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) could bring the required sea change to the design and construction industry when it comes to sustainable design. The code, which will provide a set of rules and policies by which buildings and their designs must abide, is the first actionable step in making "going green" a requirement and not simply an owner's choice. The AIA is spearheading the effort as part of its mission to help architects take an active role in lowering the nation's overall energy consumption.

Nicknamed the "Green Code," the IGCC, which has been endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, mandates that a building achieve specific and strict sustainable design goals, set by states or municipalities as well as offering options for design of additional measures toward higher levels of performance. This is the first time in the architectural profession that a group has taken on the challenge of codifying the concept of sustainable design. While previous systems were a great start, the groups involved in the Green Code believe that this codification will finally combine the expertise required for green building with model building codes for safety and health.

As with any change, however, there are challenges which the AIA believes can - and will - be overcome over time. The most important of these challenges is the fact that, as opposed to other sustainability systems, the IGCC code will be enforceable - meaning code violations could be issued by a governing body for failure to comply.

This issue is at the heart of AIA's current work on the code and will be discussed at length over the coming months to ensure that the profession understands the new requirements and is ready to apply them. Though the change will be significant for architects that haven't yet worked on sustainable design projects, ultimately, the AIA believes the Green Code will make the role of the profession in design and construction stronger.

To help educate the architectural profession and prepare for the changes, the AIA has taken an especially large role in spearheading these efforts, educating professionals about the process of code writing and making sure that comments, concerns and ideas are shared with the policy drafters. The AIA is actively and aggressively asking its members to participate to ensure that their voices are heard by participating in code development. The second code development round is currently just beginning for the second public version (PV 2.0). This new version includes changes heard at public hearings on hundreds of proposed changes involving hundreds of interested parties - not just architects - such as building product manufacturers and building owners to ensure a 360-degree perspective. The deadline for submitting changes is January 3, 2011, after which a code development hearing will take place in Dallas in May 2011. Final comments on the proposed changes are due August 12, 2011, and public hearings will take place in Phoenix, November 2-6, 2011 with the expectation that the new code will be finalized and published by March 2012. AIA staff and members will be active participants at these code hearings, testifying on behalf of the code changes submitted by AIA members as well as commenting on the hundreds of other proposals that will be submitted by other stakeholders in the code development process.

The AIA sees this code as perhaps the biggest practice development to hit the profession in the last 50 years. This is why the AIA is encouraging all those with a stake in the codes to become involved in the discussion and crafting of policy, to ensure their views and ideas are heard. In the fight against climate change, the loudest and most influential voices may just come from architects.

George H. Miller is president of the American Institute of Architects.

International Green Construction Code: Game-Changer in Sustainable Building

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Green Solutions for Construction, Renovation and Demolition Waste

by Wes Muir

Earlier this month, the C&D Recycling Forum brought together key experts from a variety of backgrounds, including general and demolition contractors, government officials and waste and recycling representatives. During this event, much of the discussion focused on ways to divert the waste that is generated during construction, renovation and demolition projects, through recycling and other diversion methods. During this event, my colleague, Jim Halter, Vice President for Construction Solutions for Waste Management, shed light on some of the issues and challenges the construction and demolition sector faces, particularly in terms of diverting this waste away from landfills. Of note, during 2008 alone, the U.S. generated 143.5 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris. And according to the Waste Business Journal, only 28 percent of this waste was reused, recycled or sent to waste-to-energy facilities. Today, at more than 40 percent of the national waste stream, C&D waste represents the largest single source of our waste. This clearly presents a need for effective and environmentally conscious management of this large volume of waste. Although the composition of most construction waste varies by location, project type and season, building debris generally consists of asphalt, brick, glass, plaster, insulation and roofing materials, cardboard, concrete, wood, drywall and metal. Each of these types of debris is vastly different, affecting the ease of the materials' recovery, separation and recyclability. The differences in recycling methods for these various materials have posed a significant challenge to contractors as they seek to implement sustainable waste strategies. Not only is it difficult for contractors to locate suppliers and vendors to help them achieve their green building goals, but also the availability of recycling markets differs by region and the type of materials that need to be processed. For instance, Jim looked at the ability to recycle shingles and insulation. When recycling shingles, the biggest concern is the potential presence of asbestos. Additional costs arise to test for asbestos and have it removed. With insulation, he suspects the presence of fiberglass may contribute to its low recycling rate since the formaldehyde content may lead to health concerns resulting from the recycling process. From a regional perspective, some restrictions apply to the types of materials that can be recycled. In the West, asphalt is readily more recyclable than in the South or Midwest and ceramic tile are easier to recycle than in other regions of the country. In the Midwest, carpet is easier to recycle than compared to the South; however, plaster is harder to recycle than in other regions of the country. In the East, cardboard is easier to recycle versus in the South and Midwest. And in the South, this region has the lowest recycling frequency compared to other regions, particularly when it comes to wood. As contractors become more conscious of the potential environmental impact of construction and demolition projects, they have also become more attuned to the need for responsible management of the subsequent waste from these projects. Contractors recognize the substantial impact that sustainable construction waste management can have on their businesses, and a growing number are adopting environmental conscious practices to divert and recycle more materials and reduce disposal to landfills for their own companies, regardless of their customer's goals. Of note, construction firms are seeking environmental solutions companies that are committed to sustainability with their own complementary goals. However, a lack of readily available suppliers and vendors that have sustainability expertise impedes contractors' ability to practice sustainable waste management. In fact, just last year The McGraw-Hill Companies' SmartMarket Report found that a growing number of contractors see construction waste management and the reuse of existing structures among the most important factors when implementing sustainable building methods. The study, which was produced with support from Waste Management, also revealed that 61 percent of contractors rate waste management plans as the second-most important aspect of green building, behind energy efficiency. Interestingly, despite the recession, waste diversion activity among construction firms is increasing, with 20 percent diverting half of their construction waste on 60 percent or more of their projects throughout the year. As the green building trend continues to grow, it is important to realize the needs of contractors working to create sustainable solutions, including their desire for construction waste management and reuse processes. Events like the C&D Recycling Forum help bring expertise to the table in terms of finding solutions to these latent issues. As Jim demonstrated in his remarks, the waste industry remains aware of the constraints placed on contractors to use sustainable practices to meet recent trends, government regulations and so forth. With new technologies and environmental regulations taking shape each day, contractors, waste industry experts and government officials will continue to work together to ensure construction, renovation and demolition waste is responsibly disposed. Not only does proper construction waste management have a substantial business impact, but also it is an environmentally conscious practice that can benefit our entire nation. Reprinted with permission from Earth & Industry

Post originale: http://featured.matternetwork.com/2010/10/green-solutions-construction-renovation-demolition.cfm

Largest Solar Farm in Northeast U.S. Under Construction

by Zachary Shahan

Con Edison Development and Panda Power Funds started construction on a 20-megawatt solar electric generating station in Pilesgrove, NJ last week. This solar farm will be able to power over 5,100 homes and will be the largest solar farm in the northeastern U.S. upon completion. The farm will include 71,400 solar panels and operation is expected to begin next spring. The clean power generated from these solar panels (20-megawatts DC or 18-megawatts AC) will reduce global warming emissions as much as taking 3,500 cars off the road each year would do. New Jersey's leading solar energy incentives were a big reason why the farm is being built in New Jersey. "New Jersey has long been a national leader in promoting alternative energy, and this project is proof that our commitment to strong public-private cooperation is a model for success," said New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney. "The State of New Jersey has set the pace for state governments nationwide through its powerful commitment to renewable energy, and that is why this solar installation is becoming a reality," said Robert Mennella, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Con Edison Development. "Thanks to an intelligent partnership between government and the private sector, New Jersey has become the tip of the sword in the green-energy economy," said Todd Carter, president and managing partner of Panda Power Funds. "Garden-state legislators have incentivized us to create jobs with free-market mechanisms - not costly government subsidies, grants or cumbersome loan guarantees." There you go, New Jersey's progressive solar energy incentives are paying off. More states (and the nation as a whole) would do well to take note. Reprinted with permission from Cleantechnica

Post originale: http://featured.matternetwork.com/2010/10/largest-solar-farm-northeast-us.cfm