Removing Barriers to Sustainable Development Practices. Jim Van der Kloot USEPA Region 5

Transcription

1 Removing Barriers to Sustainable Development Practices Jim Van der Kloot USEPA Region 5

2 Society is facing some complex environmental problems Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector United States, 2004 Residential 17% Commercial 17% Agriculture 8% Transportation 28% Industry 30% Lion s share of contamination is no longer from industry Greenhouse Gases Water Other air pollution The source is: Everybody Total Emissions = MMT CO2E Source: US EPA Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks,

3 What we build has consequences Who benefits? Who bears the cost? 3

4 A Different Approach Advantages of green buildings and walkable communities include: Energy Savings Cleaner Air Healthier people 4

5 Methods to Achieve Massive One project at a time! Environmental Results Typical developments but with a green twist! 5

6 Barriers to Sustainable Development Practices Quantification Needs Air Water Ecologic Engineering Barriers Economic Market Barriers Public Health Opportunities Market Adoption of Sustainable Development Practices 6

7 Barriers to Sustainable Development Practices What are we trying to achieve? Green redevelopment of cleanup sites can have lasting, measurable environmental and societal benefits Most examples are led by an inspired few Knowledge and process changes are needed in order to achieve widespread market acceptance Quantification is needed so that we can count the results 7

8 In order to adopt sustainable practices, the market needs solid data on performance and benefits Air Quantification Needs Water Ecological Economic Practicing Engineers need solid performance data for planning and design work 8

9 Quantification of Performance and Benefits Quantification of the Benefits of Native Landscaping Conference held Dec Research Agenda Plain English Version Web site: res 9

10 Quantifying the Benefits of NL Air Absorption and filtration Reduced maintenance emissions Controlled burns Water Less runoff Better runoff quality Water conservation during dry-weather periods Carbon Sequestration Root mass Phytoremediation Cleanup Water Control Economics Reduced O & M Downstream benefits Public Perception Design for acceptance Pesticides and fertilizers Reduced usage Biodiversity Fragmentation 10

11 Quantification Needs Approach- Air Supporting HQ BF work assignment Determining and testing methodologies for modeling the air quality benefits from reduced vehicle miles traveled due to brownfield vs. greenfield redevelopment Interested in investigating emission offsets from infill redevelopment in SIPs Other potential air issues: Urban heat island, Evaporative losses, Emissions from coatings, landscape maintenance, Indoor air quality, asthma Water Ecologic Economic Partners Air USEPA, OSWER, Brownfields Office Others TBD 11

12 Kenosha Harborpark 12

13 Air Water Quantification Needs Approach - Water Assemble and develop complete, precise, and quality-assured data on the performance of green design features and management practices Provide the information in commonly used runoff prediction models, so that engineers and planners will have the same level of confidence in green storm water management features as they have in conventional systems Ecologic Economic Partners Region 5 Water Division, Superfund Division OWOW USEPA, Region 1 NRCS University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Purdue University University of Vermont U.S. Forest Service Others TBD 13

14 1 ½ setting bed of CA-17 14

15 The pervious pavement was installed mechanically which helped reduce installation cost. 15

16 16

17 Villa Park Police Station Prisco Serena Sturm Conservation Design Forum 17

18 18

19 Air Quantification Needs Approach - Ecosystem Function Existing ITRC product Water Economic Partners Ecosystem Function The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council USFS Evanston Others TBD 19

20 Independence Grove, Former NPL Site Libertyville, IL 20

21

22 22

23 Public Health Opportunities New, proactive role for Public Health Partnership with ATSDR Developing with a public health endpoint - Milwaukee Charrette at BF2006 w/ Public Health endpoint Ohio River Valley Conference 23

24 Connections Between Development Choices and Public Health Physical Activity Walkability and Transit Respiratory Health Indoor and Outdoor Air Emotional/Mental Link to reduced violence Access to Services Food Health Care Development Approaches Smart Growth New Urbanism Green Buildings Community Greening Focus on Community Services Potential Economic Valuation 24

25 Market Adoption of Sustainable Development Practices 25

26 Removing Market Barriers to Green Development

27 Purpose of this Project To work with the market to achieve environmental benefits How do we do this? Help market to recognize the value of green development practices Implement changes which will: Remove barriers to green practices Create tools, products, and incentives which will help green developments be more profitable 27

28 Approach Identifying Strategizing Implementing Communicating Identify the most significant market impediments to green development practices Develop strategies to eliminate / minimize targeted market barriers Research and implement strategies to remove market barriers Communicate findings and successes through white papers, reports, additional research, and outreach 28

29 Identifying Market Barriers Identifying Strategizing Implementing Communicating Steering Committee First Workshop Results Steering Committee Members: Mike Ohm, Bell, Boyd & Lloyd Mike Davidson, Campaign for Sensible Growth Donna Ducharme & Elise Zelechowski, The Delta Institute Kevin O Brien, Great Lakes Environmental Finance Center Eugene Goldfarb, Great Lakes Environmental Planning Scott Goldstein, Metropolitan Planning Council Megan Dobratz & Shelley Schreffler, Minnesota Environmental Initiative Evans Paull, Northeast-Midwest Institute Chris Choi, Bob Newport & Jim Van der Kloot, US EPA John Braden, University of Illinois Champaign / Urbana Rachel Weber, University of Illinois at Chicago 29

30 Identifying Market Barriers Identifying Strategizing Implementing Communicating Steering Committee First Workshop Results Our first workshop, held on May 22nd, had 50 participants including: Architects Equity providers Attorneys Appraisers Developers Divided in to four groups: Owner/operators Others involved in development decisions Industrial, Office, Retail, and Residential Each group identified a range of barriers 30

31 Identifying Market Barriers Identifying Strategizing Implementing Communicating Steering Committee First Workshop Results We analyzed the results from the first workshop and found that the identified market barriers fell into five major categories: 5 Major Barrier Catego ories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues 31

32 Identifying Market Barriers 5 Major Barrier Categories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues Everyone wants numbers to justify their investment Partnerships with different stakeholders provide a unique opportunity to understand and map these needs Examples: Appraisals What information is needed by appraisers? In what form? Stormwater Performance quantification underway 32

33 Identifying Market Barriers 5 Major Barrier Categories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues Value of green features often not communicated Misinformation or inappropriate / ineffective channels Example: Brokers often highlight: Granite countertops Parking Not energy efficiency or healthy indoor air quality 33

34 Identifying Market Barriers 5 Major Barrier Categories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues Developer and owner/tenant do not collaborate on most projects Lease arrangements do not promote conservation and efficiency Examples: Toughest case is spec developer How can benefits be brought into the deal? Hotel room 34

35 Identifying Market Barriers 5 Major Barrier Categories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues Standard underwriting procedures may not accommodate green Incentives available and accessible to promote green development Examples: Energy efficiency not considered in home mortgages Green developments may be charged higher interest rates IL Housing Authority 3% modifier for energy costs 35

36 Identifying Market Barriers 5 Major Barrier Categories Knowledge gaps in green development quantification Communication shortfall Ownership structure and operating cost responsibility Financing issues (private & public) Risks and process issues Development process including design, contractor, financing, and approvals do not accommodate green features in many markets Green development pioneers may have additional risks Examples: Learning curve premium Government codes and ordinances Risk of not meeting standards How can insurance help? 36

37 Green Approaches in the Land Revitalization Process Deconstruction, Demolition, and Removal Cleanup, Remediation, and Waste Management Design and Construction for Reuse Sustainable Use and Long Term Stewardship Reuse/recycle deconstruction and Power machinery and equipment Use Energy Star, LEED, and Reduce use of toxic materials in demolition materials using clean fuels GreenScapes principles in both manufacturing, maintenance, and Reuse materials on site whenever Use renewable energy sources, new and existing buildings use of buildings and land possible such as solar, wind, and methane Reduce environmental impact by Minimize waste generation, to power remediation activities reusing existing structures and manage waste properly, and Consider future site use and reuse recycling industrial materials existing infrastructure Improve energy efficiency of recycle materials used/generated chosen remediation strategies, as Use natural systems to manage Use clean diesel and low sulfur appropriate stormwater, like green roofs, Monitor engineering and fuels in equipment and noise landscaped swales, and wetlands institutional controls on site Consider remediation approaches controls for power generation that reduce resource use and Incorporate Smart Growth Reduce water use by incorporating water efficient systems and Retain native vegetation and impact on air, water, adjacent principles that promote more soils, wherever possible lands, and public health balanced land uses, walkable use native vegetation to limit neighborhoods, and open space irrigation Incorporate remediation activities that sequester carbon, where Create ecological enhancements Promote energy efficiency and applicable, such as planting to promote biodiversity and use of renewable energy native grasses and using soil provide wildlife habitat Take appropriate steps to prevent amendments (re)contamination 37

38 Basic Principles Greener Cleanups Use resources wisely Consider the big environmental picture Integrate cleanup with reuse 38

39 Last of all Cross-program business plan Under development Green Buildings/Sustainable Development Including projects and resource needs Good internal strategy Worked last time! 39

40 Thanks Jim Van der Kloot USEPA Region 5