Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mannie who wrote (12543)	8/31/2011 6:06:42 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Respond to of 24242

Today's Drum Jonathan Callahan on August 31, 2011 - 11:44am Permalink \| Subthread \| Comments top Good News from the Pacific Northwest I'd like to present some evidence that many organizations large and small, public and private do "get it" when it comes to energy and are leading by example, setting new standards for green building construction. The EPA says green buildings are important because buildings account for: 36 percent of total energy use and 65 percent of electricity consumption 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent of raw materials use 30 percent of waste output (136 million tons annually) 12 percent of potable water consumption So making more efficient buildings is a way to greatly reduce our energy demand. Here are some recent Seattle construction highlights: 1) Ultra-green office building breaking ground (Seattle Times, Aug 28, 2011) The Bullitt Foundation's $30 million project aims to be the region's first zero energy office building. 2) Gates Foundation Site Move-in Underway (Green Building News, Jun 02, 2011) The Gates Foundation's $500 million project is less ambitious and only aims for LEED Gold which they hope will reduce energy 25% below current code. 3) GSA's $72 million Seattle HQ requires performance (Green Building, Aug 03, 2011) The US government is in on the act, spending $72 million to build an LEED Platinum headquarters for the Army Corps of Engineers on an old brownfield that designers hope will be in the top 1% of US buildings for energy performance. 4) Bastyr University's Student Village This already completed, $16.5 million, LEED Platinum project has received numerous awards. There is plenty of energy awareness in Seattle outside of those big projects as well. Enough to support the following upcoming events: Seattle Green Building Slam! (Sep 10) Passive House Northwest Fall Conference (Sep 16) Future Energy Conference (Oct 18-19) Some folks are actually doing something to prepare for an energy constrained future. And I fully expect increasing prices to drive more institutions and more individuals to make energy-aware choices with respect to buildings, transportation and overall lifestyle. No, we won't have BAU in the future. Resource limits will prevent that. I'm hoping for a significant improvement over BAU at least in parts of North America. Best hopes for useful action! Jon