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A quarterly newsletter of WEI’s network of members and partners

WEI Update Archives


Spring, 2003 Newsletter

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Spring, 2003 Table of Contents

WEI Energy Forum Recommendations Highlight Wisconsin’s Opportunities for Balancing Energy, Environment, Economy

Environmentally and Economically Sound Energy Strategies: Recommendations from the Energy Forum Working Group presents the outcomes of a collaborative effort to identify ways to provide reliable, affordable energy in Wisconsin while also positively impacting the environment and economy. Participants in the initiative included over 100 representatives of business, government agencies, state and local government, utilities, and citizen and environmental organizations.

The following article, written by Tom Still, President of the Wisconsin Technology Council, describes the "Energy Forum" report as "…a roadmap for state policymakers…" and a shining example of how we can create an energy system that is not only reliable, but also environmentally and economically sound. We couldn’t agree more…

A reliable yet environmentally friendly future
BY TOM STILL

MADISON - Too many conversations about Wisconsin's energy future end with environmentalists pointing fingers and utility executives or their customers complaining that science and reality have been disregarded. The "Energy Forum" sponsored by the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative is a shining example of one energy discussion that wasn't short-circuited.

In a 30-page report issued last week, participants in WEI's "Energy Forum" - a series of meetings that began in the fall of 2001 - showed it is possible for Wisconsin to have abundant supplies of electricity without sacrificing quality of life or relying on polluting technology. The report, which will be heard by the Senate Energy Committee Feb. 12, is a roadmap for state policymakers.

Wisconsin will face serious electrical energy problems if demand continues to grow at 2 to 3 percent per year, if attempts to build state-of-the-art generating plants are stymied, and if efforts to improve efficiency or conserve limp along. Written by a mix of environmental and industry leaders, the WEI report aims toward a balanced solution - and recognizes that reliable energy is essential for economic growth.

"Our aging energy infrastructure needs to be upgraded and enhanced in order to provide energy reliably, reduce the overall environmental footprint of the energy system, and take advantage of gains to be through improved energy efficiency," the report's executive summary said. "In addition, an improved energy infrastructure is necessary for attracting businesses that will keep our economy strong and continue to provide quality jobs."

Can that be accomplished in a world in which more energy has traditionally meant more pollution? The WEI Energy Forum offered six goals - and backed each with specific examples of what's being done today in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Participants want to:

1. Reduce energy demand through efficiency and conservation.

2. Develop a "dynamic" and inclusive long-term energy planning process.

3. Support education and research on energy and the environment, with the goal of reaching out to businesses, communities and the general public.

4. Increase investment in renewable energy technologies.

5. Support market transformation efforts.

6. Value a balanced approach and diverse energy investments.

Forum participants identified many ways to increase energy efficiency through tax, financial and regulatory incentives, as well as new measures for buildings, processes and supply chain management. "Green Building" tax credits for efficient new construction is one such incentive. Streamlined building approval processes for contractors how build "green" is another.

The report cited many Wisconsin examples of companies improving energy efficiency - and their bottoms lines. West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.'s new headquarters reduced energy consumption by 40 percent per square foot with a corresponding 7 percent increase in employee productivity, comfort and air quality. The Johnson Controls Brengel Technology Center in Milwaukee was one of the first 12 buildings in the world to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification by using cost-effective techniques to save energy and water while improving indoor air quality. Efforts by Don Simon Homes, QuadGraphics, Miller Brewing Co. and Orion Lighting are also highlighted in the report (available through www.wi-ei.org).

The report also cites the construction of geothermal schools in Evansville and Fond du Lac, a comprehensive program that has reduced University of Wisconsin and state government energy costs by $7.3 million per year, and a variety of public education efforts to show citizens how saving energy also saves money.

Specific ways to increase investment in renewable energy technologies, such as biomass and solar photovoltaic generators, include removing barriers such as utility interconnection standards, inconsistent zoning laws and other local laws that make it tough to try anything new. "Green pricing" programs - such as those already run by WE Energies, Alliant, Madison Gas & Electric and Wisconsin Public Power Inc. - give customers the option of paying a premium on their bill to support renewable energy projects.

Ways to transform the market include instituting "real-time pricing," which allows customers to take advantage of lower prices during low-use periods of the day, and increasing the diversity of distributed generation. Distributed generation is characterized by decentralized, smaller-scale energy sources located close to the point of use.

Finally, the report urged creation of "super-reliable, high-quality power" to attract biotechnology, micro-processing and other New Economy industries. That included development of hydrogen fuel cells - currently ignored by state policy - and highly efficient "cogeneration" plants, such as the plant proposed by Madison Gas & Electric for the UW-Madison campus. Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy, which reduces waste compared to a traditional plant.

"Utilities that go above-and-beyond to achieve meaningful environmental goals should be offered greater flexibility and incentives such as lower government fees and expedited government review," said John Imes, executive director of WEI. "By setting binding targets for environmental performance and allowing utilities the choices for reaching them, we can spur technological advances, abundant energy resources and environmental responsibility."

The "Energy Forum" report can help end Wisconsin's energy wars by blending efficiency and conservation efforts with new technology, systems and market realities. At a time when energy security is about to take on renewed significance, the WEI report is like a light bulb coming on in a dark room.

--Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council and the former associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison.

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Director's View

A sluggish economy and the announcement of a projected $3.2 billion dollar budget deficit over the next two-year budget cycle makes it clear that very tough choices will have to be made when it comes to setting environmental priorities. Given the problem of shrinking resources and complex environmental issues, improved environmental protection will depend on the ability of lawmakers and agency staff to effectively focus limited resources.

The March 17th Environmental Policy Forum: Striking a Balance for 2003 and Beyond, brought together state leaders from the legislature and the Doyle administration to discuss the challenge of effectively addressing the state’s environmental priorities in the context of a $3.2 billion dollar budget deficit and the need to improve the state economy.

A distinguished panel of state leaders including Scott Hassett, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources; Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; Senator Neal Kedzie, Chair, Environment and Natural Resources Committee; Senator Rob Cowles, Chair, Energy and Utilities Committee; Representative Mark Miller, Assembly Natural Resources Committee; and Peter Bock, Administrator, Division of Energy identified: 1) their top environmental priorities over the next four years and 2) their ideas for addressing those priorities given the need to improve Wisconsin’s economy while tackling a $3.2 billion dollar budget deficit.

And because we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to tap the creative ideas of the over 140 stakeholders representing government, business, and non-profit organizations, we asked participants to identify their own top environmental priorities, which were tallied at the event and compared to priorities identified by political leaders. *Look for an event summary, including remarks from political leaders and stakeholder ideas to be posted on our website at www.wi-ei.org. Our thanks go out to Tom Still, President of the Wisconsin Technology Council and former associate editor of the Wisconsin State Journal, who moderated the event.

The March 17th dialogue is an example of how WEI’s Environmental Policy Forum can be a valuable tool for increasing communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The release of the Energy Forum Report demonstrates the potential of the Policy Forum.

Over the past year, diverse stakeholders attended conference events and working group sessions, shared ideas and expertise, and found innovative ways to balance energy reliability, environmental quality, and a vibrant economy.

The result is a guide for Wisconsin’s energy future and a celebration of effective energy measures already in place in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Moreover, it is a starting point for further dialogue and work towards the goal of connecting energy policies and practices with Wisconsin’s environmental and economic priorities.

Finally, to keep the report’s findings from collecting dust, WEI is launching an online discussion board to receive feedback on the report and continue the dialogue about emerging energy and environmental policy issues and ideas. The discussion board will be accessible via WEI’s web site and will also include links to Energy Forum updates, additions to the report, and information on follow-up events and opportunities.

The success of the Environmental Policy and Energy Forums is a shared one. We are grateful to our sponsors, partners, and participants for their hard work, creativity, guidance and support, and look forward to continued work together as we strike a balance for the benefit of Wisconsin’s environment, economy and quality of life.

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Green Building Showcased Again at 2003 Parade of Homes

The 2003 Madison Area Builders Association (MABA) Parade of Homes will demonstrate once again how green building can be good for the homeowner and for the environment. Twenty-five of this year’s Parade Homes will be certified as Green Built. Parade sites are located in Madison (Blackhawk), Middleton (Middleton Hills) Waunakee (Savannah Village) and Swan Creek in Fitchburg. The twenty-five Green Built Homes will demonstrate many green building features including superior indoor air quality by providing thorough ventilation, installing central vacuum systems and furnace-mounted air filters and utilizing low VOC paints and finishes on interior surfaces. The homes will also exhibit efficient design with high levels of insulation, high performance windows, air tightness and energy-efficient mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances. These features work together to make these homes at least 15% more efficient than code, on average.

A special highlight this year will be construction waste recycling and grinding of wood waste in an effort spearheaded by the MABA Green Built Committee. The EPA estimates that in 1999, Wisconsin sent almost one million tons of construction waste to landfills. Some of this material is unusable in its original state, but some can be reused and much can be recycled. For instance, scrap wood can be chipped for landscape mulch to be used at the building site. Leftover drywall can be saved for use at another site or recycled into new drywall. Shipping pallets and boxes can be returned and reused. Working with the builders at the Blackhawk Parade site, Waste Management Systems will grind wood waste for use as mulch and erosion stabilization. Recycling building materials reduces the load on landfills and can, in some cases, save money on waste removal and disposal.

Another effort by Green Built Home builders is water-efficient landscaping. Homes feature landscaping and flower beds that can help prevent pollution in our lakes and streams—a rain garden. The EPA estimates that runoff from urban and residential areas contributes to 70% of the pollution in our lakes, streams and rivers, and as our developed areas grow, so does the pollution problem. Rain gardens are designed to soak up runoff while adding to the beauty of a yard. Typically, rain gardens are located in areas that get lots of water after rainfall—next to paved areas and under rain gutters and downspouts. A shallow depression is made in the ground to collect this water, and native plants adapted to wet conditions are planted in this depression. The end result is a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that helps protect local water bodies from polluted runoff.

WEI is excited to once again display Green Built Homes among the many beautiful homes exhibited in this year’s Parade. MABA estimates that 50,000 visitors will tour the homes, and we are pleased to bring the ideas behind Green Built Home to such a large audience.
  • See "Planting a Rain Garden" at the Green Built Home web site (www.greenbuilthome.org) for simple ways to make a rain garden
  • The Habitat ReStore accepts and resells salvaged and leftover building materials: (608)661-2813
  • St. Vincent dePaul Dig & Save also accepts materials in good condition: (608)250-6370
  • WasteCap Wisconsin can help develop a job site recycling plan and provide other useful resources for recycling construction materials: (414)961-1100

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Calendar of events

March
13-14: Building Energy 2003, Boston, MA: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, (413)774-6051 ext.20, www.nesea.org.

17: Environmental Policy Forum: Striking the Balance in 2003 and Beyond, Madison, WI: Wisconsin Environmental Initiative, (608)280-0360, www.wi-ei.org.

19-21: Sustainability through Strategic Partnerships, Orlando, FL: GEMI, (215)428-9655, www.gemi.org.

30- April 1: National Green Building Conference and Awards, Baltimore, MD: NAHB Research Center, (888)602-HOME, www.nahbrc.org.

April
9: Greening of the Built Environment, Oconomowoc, WI: Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, (414)224-9422, www.wgba.org.

12: Enter the Energy Controversy: Moral Choices for Powering our Future, Brookfield, WI: (262)782-3535, www.uucw.org/Communities/Social Action.

15: Energy Policy and Global Climate Change: A Path Forward, Monona Terrace in Madison, WI: Alliant Energy: www.alliantenergy.com/environmentalconference

30-May 2: EnvironDesign7, Washington, DC: www.environdesign.com.

May
13: Wisconsin Green Power Workshop, Milwaukee, WI: (415)561-2120, www.resource-solutions.org/GP/WI.

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WEI Welcomes Jeff Simon to the Board

We are pleased to welcome Jeff Simon, Vice President of Operations for Don Simon Homes to the WEI Board of Directors. Don Simon Homes has contributed significant support and leadership to WEI, most notably in Green Built Home program development and activities.

As of June 1, 2001, all Don Simon Homes are built to Green Built Home certification standards.

A family business since 1956, Don Simon Homes has recently set a new standard for commitment to quality. Last year, the company announced that all Don Simon Homes – currently about 300 per year -- would be certified Green Built Homes as of June 1, 2001.

"Being a Green Built Home certified builder lets us provide value and satisfaction to our homeowners and be a service to the community," Jeff Simon explains. "We make it easy for homebuyers to do things that improve our environment – just by buying a Don Simon Home."

Simon believes that in building homes to Green Built standards, Don Simon Homes is giving back to the community and providing customers with a way to give back to the environment. "People want to be doing what’s right for the environment and I’d like to think that being associated with a Green Built Home makes our owners feel proud," he said.

Simon notes that the company has come a long way from where they were in 1956. Back then, Don Simon Homes was building what were considered to be track homes in Sun Prairie. Today, the company is leading the industry towards higher standards both in home building and land use.

"Using and developing land more efficiently, creating less waste, using better products – it adds up to better land use," Simon noted. "We’ve learned from past land use mistakes. We’re doing more mixed-use development now."

In July, 2002, Don Simon Homes held a groundbreaking ceremony for the largest traditional neighborhood development in Wisconsin history, Grandview Commons. Located on the far east side of Madison, Grandview Commons incorporates pedestrian-scaled design, diversity of housing and architecture, 100,000 square feet of retail and office space, 26 acres of open space, and a wooded village green.

Grandview Commons is a community that’s both innovative and new. It draws on age-old principles of pedestrian-scaled design, diversity of housing and architecture, and people-friendly environments in which communities can flourish. "Growing up, I knew all the other kids in the neighborhood. We played outside all the time – we didn’t really watch TV or play video games. Grandview Commons brings back that sense of traditional neighborhood," he said.

The company further expressed its commitments to resource efficiency and the community in donating the buildings which occupied the Grandview Commons site to the Habitat ReStore, a building materials reuse center and project of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. The wood floors and fine pine paneling and doors of the buildings, formerly known as the Queen of Apostles High School, were dismantled by Habitat for Humanity volunteers and added to the Habitat ReStore’s inventory for resale.

Don Simon Homes has also been recognized for its renewed emphasis on customer satisfaction.

"We had built over 200 houses in 1992. We built a good house, but there was something missing," Simon explains. "Customer satisfaction wasn’t where we wanted it to be. In 1993, David, Karen and I decided to re-engineer Don Simon Homes, take the company to a new level, and start listening to customers’ needs. "

In order to deliver a product and service that responded to customers’ needs, the company adopted a very organized, systematic approach to home building that would remove many of the frustrations one often encounters when building a home. For example, Don Simon Homes guarantees closing dates to ensure that the home will be done on time. Their design center provides an easy way for customers to choose products for their home without having to run all over town looking for them.

Their efforts to incorporate better land use, green building, and customer satisfaction have paid off. Don Simon Homes has been awarded the 2002 National Housing Quality Gold Award, a prestigious award sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders.

The company’s goals for the future include continuing to develop smart communities throughout Dane County and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. "We’ve only been involved with Green Built Home for a year and a half. There’s still a lot more we can do with the way we build and the products we use," says Simon.

Simon hopes and expects that green building will become a standard in Wisconsin. He would also like to see a Green Built Communities checklist for developers and believes that municipalities should be requiring it of developers and home builders. "We expect it to become the norm," he says, "It’s a smart way to do business."

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Planting a Rain Garden

Want to plant a garden that conserves water, protects local lakes and streams and provides habitat for birds and butterflies? Why not plant a rain garden? At first glance a rain garden may just look like a normal flower bed. However, these flower beds are hard at work cleaning the water that enters local water bodies with little care or attention needed from you. While rain gardens may not be the magic bullet that solves all our drought and water pollution problems, they’re a start and they definitely make a positive impact on the environment.

Polluted runoff is a major problem in urban areas where streets, sidewalks and buildings are designed to shunt water off their surfaces as quickly as possible. Impervious surfaces create streams of water that wash away oil, heavy metals, pesticides and fertilizers from city streets and suburban lawns. This water goes into storm drains and from there, directly into lakes, streams and rivers without treatment. As urban and suburban areas grow, the volume of pollutants grows. Wetlands act as living filtration systems to remove such pollutants from the water, but it is impossible to create wetlands in highly developed areas. Rain gardens can act as mini-wetlands, absorbing and cleaning water that runs off sidewalks, driveways and roofs.

While the process by which rain garden plants clean the water may be complicated, designing and installing a rain garden is simple.

  • Choose a location that typically receives a lot of water—areas next to paved surfaces, near downspouts or under rain gutters. This collects water from impervious surfaces that would otherwise run off. Locations with poorly-drained soils such as clay are a good choice, as they will retain water for long periods and sustain your garden through dry spells.
  • Dig a shallow depression in your chosen location to help channel the water into your garden and irrigate your plants. If you are placing the garden next to your house, dig the depression to channel water away from your house to help prevent leakage into your basement.
  • Plant the depression with native, water-loving plants. Native plants are well adapted to our local climate, and will need less care in the long run. You can plant a combination of shrubs and flowers and there are many different species to choose from. In Wisconsin, Blueflag Iris, Great Blue Lobelia and Cardinal Flower can be planted together to make a bright and colorful rain garden that enjoys lots of sun. Pussy Willow, Red-Osier Dogwood and Black Chokeberry are some of the possible shrub choices that would do well in our climate. There are many other plant choices, some suited to sunnier areas and some suited to shadier areas.
    •

    Small or large, your rain garden will benefit the environment and add to the beauty of your yard.

    Resources for further information:

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    In Brief...

    Madison Gas and Electric Company and Don Simon Homes become the first Green Built Industry Leaders

    WEI is pleased to recognize Madison Gas and Electric Company and Don Simon Homes as the first Green Built Industry Leaders. Both companies have committed a total of $100,000 over three years in support of Green Built Home.

    Green Built Home adds new staff

    Nathan Engstrom has joined WEI as the new Green Built Home Program Director. Nathan has recently completed a Masters degree in architecture at the University of Texas- Austin, one of the few architecture schools in the country that emphasizes green building. In addition, Nathan brings hands-on building experience and previous work with energy efficiency-related organizations to his new position. "I've spent the last several months researching fourteen of the nations residential green building programs and not one of them has the same combination of good intentions, great people and proven achievements as the Wisconsin Green Built Home program," said Nathan. "I look forward to sharing my passions for architecture, construction and the natural environment with builders, home buyers, and industry stakeholders."

    Cynthia Matthias has joined WEI as Green Built Home Program Assistant. Cynthia was instrumental in compiling initial research for the Green Built Home Product Directory as a volunteer intern in the summer of 2001. She continues to work on the product directory, as well as on editing and producing print materials, fundraising and general program development. Cynthia has a Bachelor's degree in biology from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Her experience includes landscape design and installation, developing outreach materials for the UW Arboretum, resource management work for the National Park Service and Colorado State Parks, and editing publications at Grinnell College.

    Exciting Changes in Green Built Home

    WEI is excited to announce changes to the Green Built Home Program that will help increase participation in the program and expand awareness of green building. Changes to the Green Built Home certification criteria include expanded options for meeting the energy efficiency requirement, as well as more extensive basic requirements for indoor air quality, erosion control and construction waste disposal. A streamlined checklist will be introduced for Green Built Home builders who demonstrate consistent compliance with program standards to reduce the amount of paperwork necessary for certification. Annual builder registration fees are also being reduced from $300 to $200.

    For more information, visit the Green Built Home web site at http://www.greenbuilthome.org

     

    Coming soon...

    Business & Environment

    In 2003, WEI will launch Business & Environment initiatives which emphasize practical tools and solutions that further business and environmental performance. Program offerings may include workshops and roundtables on: "greening" the supply chain; doing a baseline assessment of environmental footprint; the connection between improved environmental management and improved financial performance; and working with government and citizen groups for improved policy development.

    Green Built Home

    WEI will soon launch the Green Built Home Product Directory, an online tool that provides information on the "green" features of products and practices used in sustainable building and contact information for green product suppliers, manufacturers and other resources. The directory can be used in conjunction with the Green Built Home Checklist or alone as an educational tool for anyone interested in green building.

    The directory will be available online through the Green Built Home web site at http://www.greenbuilthome.org



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