Comments on: Should Decatur Implement “Green Building Requirements” For New Construction?

By: El Jo

El Jo — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:59:00 +0000

No. It seems there’s just not enough known about the whole global warming deal yet to really start trying to place regulations on builders, particularly in an economic time when less regulations are needed in order to encourage businesses to spend money. As of now it is starting to seem like global warming may be a result of naturally occuring sun cycle activities rather than emissions.

By: idw

idw — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 03:06:03 +0000

Green building codes should ideally be done on a statewide basis so as not to push development to less sustainable places (e.g., places farther out or less close to customers/workers). They are very unlikely to push jobs or people from one state to another, but might from one locality to another (although there is no evidence of this either at this point.

If mandatory requirements are put in, they might be delayed until the development market gets stronger.

To do nothing – as some suggest – is just irreponsible. We can’t keep building without regard to climage change. Also, we need to incentivize businesses, and ideally residents, to actually USE less energy. If we incentize folks to build LEED, but they keep the thermostat at 65, it does nothing. Atlanta businesses – especially restaurants – keep thermostats WAY TOO LOW. Take a trip oversees — or even up north — folks in other places don’t supercool their buildings.

By: AnotherRick

AnotherRick — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:19:58 +0000

I think we will miss out on something that will increase our competitive advantage if we do not adopt a more green building code. Here is a link to an article that states those codes are spreading:
http://www.sustainablecitynetwork.com/topic_channels/building_housing/article_b714eb0a-c870-11e0-bcf3-0019bb30f31a.html?utm_source=SCN+InBox+e-Newsletter&utm_campaign=e7466b60e7-Newsletter_8-17-2011_V

By: Karass

Karass — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:20:05 +0000

“Light green”–I like that designation. That’s what my family is. We try to be green, but intentions being better than actions, we end up being light green.

By: Marty

Marty — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:34:25 +0000

In general, no to “requirements,” yes to incentives.

That being said, maybe new public buildings should have certain green building requirements (the taxpayers are paying the energy bills for these buildings and will benefit from energy savings over a longer period of time than most homeowners). My guess is that the newest public buildings (Fire Station #2, Fifth Ave School) are already pretty green, but it can’t hurt to put something in writing.

Along the same line, maybe some light green requirements for office and multi-family since it effects more people.