'Green' building may become the law
By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer
Legislation and utility policy put state on efficiency path | ∞
In their high-profile campaign against climate change, California lawmakers have set goals for curbing carbon emissions from cars, factories and power plants -- and now they are taking aim at homes and offices.
"Studies show that buildings, like the ones you and I sit in, are responsible for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions," said Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, by telephone Monday.
Adam Dondro, legislative aide to Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said: "It's a huge piece that needs to be addressed."
Laird and Lieu co-wrote legislation this year to establish statewide building regulations that would help create new tracts of energy-efficient homes, beginning in 2013. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1058, would direct the state Department of Housing and Community Development to write new building codes that require efficient homes.
Lieu also wrote Assembly Bill 888 to require efficient commercial buildings starting in 2013 as well.
Both bills passed the Legislature and are sitting on the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was at the United Nations on Monday urging worldwide action on global warming. Many scientists say they believe the growing concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is responsible for the warming climate scientists have documented over the last century.
The bills have the backing of environmental groups but are opposed by builders and some local officials.
Carolyn Chase, founder of an environmental group called San Diego EarthWorks, suggested that the governor ought to take his own advice and take action to sign the green building bills.
"It's a good time to tell the governor, 'Now's a good time to sign those bills,' " Chase said.
But the building industry argues that it would be better to encourage green building through local incentive programs rather than through mandatory regulations.
"Give us the carrot," said Tommy Thompson, a spokesman for the Riverside County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. "Why bust out the stick right away?"
Local builders also have expressed concern about new policies adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission last week.
The regulatory agency said it will require the state's three major electric utilities -- including San Diego Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison -- to set up new rates to encourage developers to build homes that use renewable energy and don't require new electricity.
Paul Tryon, chief executive officer for the San Diego Building Industry Association, said earlier that he needed to study the policy before taking a position. But he said the policy's 2020 target date for building only homes that require no new electricity was probably unrealistic.
The area's two giant utilities support the new policy.
"The commission's decision is another clear demonstration of its commitment to energy conservation, and we applaud this groundbreaking move," said Anne Smith, senior vice president for customer service for SDG&E.
Southern California Edison officials also praised the move.
"As the nation's leader in energy efficiency program savings, we support the commission's policy desire to make energy efficiency a core part of utility business priorities and create an energy-efficiency policy model for the nation," Edison spokesman Gil Alexander said in a statement.
Chase praised both the new commission policy and the legislation sitting on the governor's desk.
"The technology exists to build more efficient buildings," Chase said. "But you have to sometimes order people to do the right thing, when it comes to increasing the standards."
Dondro, the legislative aide for Laird, said the details of the mandate would have to be spelled out by the state housing department. But the regulations probably would address insulation, design, air conditioning systems and other building practices, aiming to curb electricity consumption and, by extension, carbon emissions.
Thompson of the building association said builders are "opposed to mandates, but we're not opposed to building green."
On the contrary, he said, the Riverside County branch is preparing to ask the Western Riverside Council of Governments later this fall to pass a resolution encouraging member cities to adopt green incentive programs. Thompson said the association would like cities to put projects on a fast track if they include green elements.
Bob Johnson, Temecula's assistant city manager for development, said his city is interested in adopting such a program.
-- Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.
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Herbert wrote on Sep 25, 2007 3:48 AM:Here we go again, just like the solar hot water fiasco of years past. In order for solar to be viable it must be also be economically feasible. Solar hot water was mandatory on all new homes a few years past but when home owners found how expensive it was they discontinued its use.
Yeah Right ... wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:58 AM:"encouraging green building" is like "encouraging the auto industry to install seat belts. Capitalistic business is onlt concerned with one thing....PROFIT...as much as possible. Green building and energy efficiency is NOT profitable to business. Only the consumer gains ...oh wait ...now there's a good idea... pay less to heat and cool America's homes for their lifetime ! What a novel concept. Of course its the right thing to do ...but the only way to get it done on a grand scale ...which is the only scale that will make a difference ...is to mandate it by law. Its only a short term benefit to not have solar panels on our homes...in the long term ...10years ... it makes sense ....and last I checked ...the majority of the homes built 20 years ago are still standing and still housing people ...what a concept that homeowners would someday NOT have an electric or gas bill and there home's environmental temperature wouldn't fluctuate so much and would be more stable throughout the day and night. I hate mandating things ...because politics gets involved in every aspect of even the smartest things ...but its unlikely this kind of change would ever occur any other way.
Billy wrote on Sep 25, 2007 8:41 AM: Where do we find these people? The warming of the earth is a natural thing. Of course we are adding to it through emissions, and better construction of houses in the distent future is one of the answers. We have known that for more than 20 years. But what about now in the near future? There are four things I can think of off hand: Enforce the speed limits, Increase the restrictions on use of diesel fuels, eliminate the use of oil based road paving materials, .... Each of those items is an area where our elected official have dropped the ball and have not been doing the jobs we hired and elected them to do. I don't think there is a one of them that didn't beg us for the job. It is time for a clean sweep. Picking one and beating up on him politically will not get it done - we need about 65 percent of them out looking for a job after the nest election - and I would start with the county Board of Supervisors and SANDAG members.-
Oh brother! wrote on Sep 25, 2007 9:28 AM:Where do we find people like this blogger who don't believe that global warming is accelerating and melting our arctic ice shelf? Duh. Something has to be done if we want to leave a legacy of a healthy environment to our grandchildren, great grandchildren and beyond. The legislators are actually doing some good critical thinking for a change.
Billy wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:45 AM: We all know where Oh brother was found. Oh brother is from that gullible group of people who have bought into the "global" term and believe that mankind is the only reason for the earths warming. Forget global and view the whole picture. We will not be able to stop the warming of the earth, but we can control those things that will very soon cause our lives here in SoCal to be Tiserable. Poor air, lack of water, and lack of energy. The earths warming will continue regardless of what we do. What you do to save the ice cap will be like shoveling sand into the tide. Do something about your own environment. That is where you can help.
Freedomlover wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:45 AM:You have to love these unaccomplished know-nothings who appalud themesleves for giving away other peoples money and stealing our taxes. These illiberal Democrats wouldn't know how to build a dog house let alone answer a question about cycles in the earths atmosphere if their pittiful lives depended on it. Will someone please pass a law that outlaws the nannystate and keeps these people out of the rising costs of my house? As for our environment, let's not do the one thing that leads to environmental degradation, which is allow for more and more government. Our environment in cleaner now than it was 40 years ago because of technology and the free market. Let's have more of that not less freedom brought about by the latest fancy of some ignorant leftist from LA or the Bay Area.
Building Green dosen't mean spending more green wrote on Sep 25, 2007 11:01 AM:I work in the construction industry and can tell you that, often, green dosen't have to be the more expensive option. Sometime it's just a matter of education and awareness about sustainable options. Materials with high recycled content and site designs that take advantage of solar orientation are examples of ways to save energy and build green without spending a extra dime. Even when green products cost more, they often have a life savings in maintenace and energy costs. You can have your cake and eat it too! California, as always, is at the leading edge, which means encouraging innovation and thinking differently.
Con for Life wrote on Sep 25, 2007 11:23 AM:Noah's Flood sparked global warming not any Algore stuff. I read about it on worldnetdaily. That is the best site on the internet to get real facts. It is almost as good as Rush Limbow and Glen Bick and Friends on Fox. You liberals just want to make money. Global warming is god's answer for us conservatives. I hope everyone reads about the Great Flood and global warming on worldnetdaily. It is good stuff. Besides when we all get raptured we will get a brand new earth so who cares if global warming is caused by evil humans? Rature is right around the corner.
Steve wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:06 PM:Well, it's about time! I'm tired of inefficient housing that constantly wastes resources. Even if there wasn't any global warming, I'd still want an energy efficient house. BTW, I don't care if people believe there's global warming or not, because by the time it happens, I'll be dead anyway and since I'm gay with no kids, guess who's going to get affected! (HA)
Bolter wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:31 PM:Green Houses - make the technology affordable and people will buy it. Currently it is not affordable, even with the tax credits. As for reducing greenhouse gases, suggest start with regulating or putting a premium on SUV's and big trucks. Now there is a target rich environment.
Robert B. wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:41 PM:"green dosen't have to be the more expensive option" Of course not, the mud huts that the Democrats want us to live in are as cheap as "DIRT". They'll bring in Green Designers from Native African Tribes who specialize in mud huts fit for the enviornment. I'd hate to be killing the enviornment when I could have a nice one-story with a basement, mud hut!
What about H2O use? wrote on Sep 25, 2007 2:40 PM:Gee, green is great and all that, but water is a huge problem here in southern California. If I had to pick between the two to regulate now, I think that water usage is the more important for this region. Maybe this is included in the concept of "green" (What is the definition of "green", by the way? Does it mean reduction of energy consumption by x%/sq ft? What is x?). Perhaps someone out there can enlighten me.
Global Warming is a Farce! wrote on Sep 25, 2007 3:51 PM:It's all about the Democrats Making Money and Control.=
La Quinta wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:13 PM:Ted Lieu, hah, isn't this the same guy that took on the tanning industry with his bill to "protect teens" from walking into a store and paying money to get a tan? This guy was made famous for going after Tom Cruise for having his own Ultrasound Machine. I have an idea for him - Teens have to be locked up in their green homes for a minimum 22 hours a day to avoid sun rays; and must have a licensed Medical Doctor visit them in their Green Homes once a week. Any medicine must be administered through the Doctors visit once a week. If you don't have a green home, no Doctor.
To Oh Brother wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:24 PM:Your right there was an article in the New York paper stating the artic ice shelf was melting. Oh, by the way that article was around circa year 1922.
Not Surprised wrote on Sep 26, 2007 11:03 AM:I am not surprised by the ignorance shown by adherents to the "global warming theory". Anybody that paying even a little attention should know that it is only in very recent history that we have the technology (orbiting satellites) to actually measure the average temperature of the earth. And its way to soon to make any meaning analysis of any trends in temperature. Every other means is based on theories and "mathmatical models". There are just as many such theories that support "global coooling" as do "global warming". Anybody that says different, is blowing smoke!
Solar Panels do not last as long wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:12 PM:as many other components of a building. The initial outlay will pay the average person's electric bill for many years. We utilize solar lighting for the outside of our home. A small solar/battery powered circuit operates some indoor lights and a small TV/satellite receiver - a usefull item during a blackout/emergency. In our personal experience, this technology is not cheap OR efficient. As for "Goreball Warming" it's a big-business industry, created by the left to drain more of our tax dollars. Forcing us to buy into "Goreball Warming" is Grand Theft and the Politicians involved need to be locked away for the wellness and good-being of law-abiding citizens!-
L. Wilson wrote on Oct 24, 2007 7:58 AM:We absolutely need inexpensive green building, but that will only happen when businesses get tax cuts and products are cost effective for homeowners to buy. It has to start with the state and federal government.
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