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

WEI Update Archives


Winter 2005 Newsletter

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Winter 2005 Table of Contents

 

Germany Mission Highlights Green Tier, New Directions in Environmental Policy
Innovative technology, “green building” practices and new directions in environmental governance were examined by a Wisconsin delegation to Germany in October.

State Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett and State Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn, chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, lead the delegation. Leaders representing companies, building associations, environmental groups and government were on hand to explore how German companies are improving environmental performance while boosting productivity and cutting costs.

WEI strongly supports cooperative efforts such as these as the best means to solving problems and improving the environment, economy and quality of life in Wisconsin. As co-leaders of the green development coalition, our key objective was to learn about German strategies to encourage and expand green building and development.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES WE SAW IN GERMANY

Innovative housing development: Featured developments included mixed use shops and houses, public green space and environmentally orientated construction. The Solarsiedlund, (Solar Village) in Freiburg, Germany, is Europe’s most modern solar housing project, which features “energysurplus- houses” that actually generate more energy than the residents consume. Also in Freiburg, a sister city to Madison, is the Vauban development, which features low energy homes, extensive solar collectors, cogeneration of heat and power, plus an efficient tram-line and convenient car sharing which reduces the number of private cars by 40-50 percent.


Left to right: John Imes, Jenna Kunde, Executive Director for WasteCap Wisconsin, and Jurgen Hartwig from Freiburg Futour examine a green roof in downtown Freiburg, Germany.

High quality, low impact, eco-friendly homes: Baufritz, a 108 year-old German company, incorporates passive solar design, heavily insulated walls, triple-glaze doors and windows, non-toxic paints and finishes, and other green building features into each of its 240 modular homes built annually.

The homes use integrated climatic design concepts including proper orientation, south glazing, thermal mass, summer shading and heat recovery ventilation to reduce heating bills to only $150 per year. Hot water solar and photovoltaic electricity systems are also installed to reduce impacts from energy production and to take advantage of generous federal subsidies.

Other low maintenance and durability features include self-cleaning windows which have a special film to facilitate cleaning by rain water, and a paint and coating system for exterior siding which never needs repainting.

The company also offers a compact modular greywater treatment system called AquaCycle which cleanses the wastewater from cooking, dishwashing, and bathing and reuses it for toilet flushing, laundry, landscaping and similar purposes where drinking water is not needed. The company estimates that an average household of 4 to 5 people could save up to 25,000 gallons of water each year. By taping into greywater sources, consumers can save significantly on water and sewer bills and reduce the demand on fresh water resources.

Finally, Baufritz’s award-winning and seamless concern for the environment extends to their manufacturing operations, with comprehensive resource reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives, not to mention, waste heat utilization and maximum day lighting.


The 108-year-old Baufritz is a firm of architects who are at the forefront of green design for family residences in Germany. Note the greenhouse canopy built into the roof of this Baufritz design.

Green infrastructure: German cities and developers are increasingly turning to green roofs, porous pavement, drainage swales, rain gardens and other green infrastructure to minimize, adsorb and cleanse stormwater runoff. The Vauban development combines green roofs, rain water cisterns, porous pavement, and community gardens with playgrounds for kids and other public places to foster social interaction. In Nurnberg, a city of about 200,000 people, more than 40 companies install green roofs and related green infrastructure projects. The use of green infrastructure has farreaching potential for helping Wisconsin address sewer overflows and stormwater runoff.

Reliable and environmentally friendly energy: Wisconsin values a balanced approach and diverse energy investments. Participants saw an industry-scale cogeneration plant that demonstrates the improved energy efficiency, lower costs and reduced air emissions from more decentralized power sources. Another highlight was the SolarFarbrik “zero emission” factory that produces photovoltaic panels.

New directions in environmental governance: What sets Germany apart is its “can-do” attitude and demonstrated ability to bring all the players to the table. Under the Environmental Pacts of Bavaria, government, working with business, sets meaningful environmental goals, provides flexibility and offers incentives such as lower fees or expedited review for superior environmental performance. German business and trade associations are also increasingly taking responsibility for environmental strategies and performance.

Similarly, Wisconsin’s new Green Tier law could leverage greater cooperation from reluctant industries, developers, state and local agencies and environmental groups by encouraging them to try something different to achieve environmental and economic development goals.

There is a better way to achieve superior environmental results and a more productive business climate. By learning from German successes and encouraging our own policymakers, businesses and other stakeholders to rethink the traditional, litigation-driven solutions of the past, we can go in a new direction in environmental policy - one that results in less waste, lower costs and healthier communities.

For more information about the trip to Germany, including videos and presentations, please visit www.greentierwi.info. For more on the Wisconsin-Bavaria Regulatory Reform Working Partnership please visit www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/bavaria/index.htm.

Director's View
Wisconsin blends environmental innovation and commitment to economic growth
Wisconsin is once again poised to be a global leader in environmental protection while pursuing competitive advantage.

Business, government and environmental experts from around the world met in Madison on Jan. 31 to discuss how new regulatory strategies and policies, including Wisconsin’s goal-oriented “Green Tier” law, will improve environmental performance and business success.

The conference, “Environmental Law in a Connected World,” included speakers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, China and the United States. Participants were challenged to look beyond the topdown, traditional regulatory solutions of the past, and examine strategies and policies that can lead to better environmental results and a more productive business climate.

The conference is a natural follow-up to last year’s passage of Green Tier and a related fact-finding mission to Germany, where a Wisconsin delegation examined innovative technologies, “green building” practices and new directions in environmental governance. WEI joined the broad-based Wisconsin group to explore how the Green Tier law (modeled, in part, after the Environmental Pacts of Bavaria) might encourage companies to improve environmental performance while boosting productivity and cutting costs.

One such example is the self-responsibility and certification systems which exist between government and the German Industry Association. Using a voluntary approach to reduce environmental impacts, participating companies receive regulatory relief and other benefits such as reduced costs for energy, pollution control fees and insurance. Since 1995, more than 5,000 German companies have been certified.

Klaus Mittelbach, director of environmental policy for the Federation of German Industries, (which is akin to Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce) explains the commitment: “For business, it is a clear objective to take responsibility... and do our outmost best to reduce the burden on environmental systems all over the world. We do it by innovation processes, by new and better products which have lower emissions in all ways, and we want to do this in a very competitive way. In short, companies need more flexibility for achieving innovation goals and are willing to take responsibility for social goals.”

Mittelbach was a featured speaker at the Jan. 31 conference.

Upon returning from Germany, delegation members have taken steps to achieve better environmental performance. For example:

  • Veridian Homes, Wisconsin’s largest home builder, is working with the Department of Natural Resources, municipalities and other stakeholders to develop a Green Tier Charter agreement to significantly reduce construction site erosion. The agreement will require Veridian to have an approved environmental management system and to implement best practices that far exceed minimum requirements. In exchange, Veridian will receive single point of contact approvals and expedited project review. Veridian already builds all homes to “Green Built Home” and “Wisconsin Energy Star” standards and has implemented comprehensive resource reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives to reduce construction waste by more than 50 percent.
  • The Development Council of the Wisconsin Builders Association recently voted unanimously to pursue a Green Tier Charter with the DNR.
  • Printing industry representatives returned with an interest in making Wisconsin a leader in “green” printing. As a first step, the Printing Industries of Wisconsin is working with stakeholders on ways to incorporate green design, technology and practice into the proposed Printing Applied Technology Center at Waukesha County Technical College. The center will help southeast Wisconsin become a national printing hub and meet new demands driven by technology advances.

These efforts demonstrate the potential for improved environmental performance, saving money and achieving competitive advantage. Imagine if most Wisconsin companies and economic sectors made similar investments in technology, practice and mindset and realized environmental and economic benefits. The result might be a “green company” benchmark and brand for Wisconsin, a business climate that attracts clean jobs and investment and furthers our state’s long tradition of environmental stewardship.

The “Environmental Law in a Connected World” conference is sponsored by UW-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs. For more on the conference please visit www.lafollette.wisc.edu. For more information about the trip to Germany, including videos and presentations, please visit www.greentierwi.info.

Home Sweet Green-Built-Remodeled Home
Since 1999, Green Built Home has been the leader in providing residential green building services to builders and owners of new homes. Over the program’s five year history we have certified over 1800 homes across Wisconsin as Green Built and have become one of the nation’s premier green building programs. However, the program has primarily focused on new construction. Until Now.

In March, we will introduce the Green Built Home Remodeling Checklist and begin working with remodeling contractors, do-ityourselfers, and remodeling trade groups to certify home remodeling projects and additions as Green Built Remodeled Homes.

The program’s resources have always been used by remodelers and Green Built Home has worked to make green building accessible and valuable to everyone. However, having a dedicated remodeling Checklist and accompanying program resources will allow us better serve the remodeling industry and make green building more valuable to a wider group of homeowners.

What is green remodeling? Green remodeling is an approach that incorporates environmentally sensitive practices throughout the home improvement process. It means thinking about how we use design, technology and materials to achieve economic, environmental and quality of life benefits.

By way of a little research and careful planning, green remodeling can help ensure that homes will have reduced energy and maintenance costs, better indoor air quality, improved health, safety and comfort, reduced environmental impact and market distinction for future resale. Green Built Remodeled Homes will look great, work better and have a reduced impact on the environment. And with American’s spending over $175 billion on remodeling projects each year, it makes “green” sense to do it right!


In the historic Madison landmark, the Arbor House, a remodeled bathroom incorporates beauty, comfort and a variety of green features, including:

  • Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) plywood sheathing
  • Formaldehyde-free insulation
  • Quiet, energy-efficient ventilation
  • Tile made from recycled glass
  • Salvaged stained-glass windows
  • Water efficient faucet and toilet
  • 95 percent efficient hot water and radiant in-floor heating
  • Low toxic caulk, finishes and healthy AFM Safecoat paints

Over the coming months we will be reaching out to remodeling contractors and trade groups to implement the program across Wisconsin. We have already had conversations with the Madison and Fox Valley chapters of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) and look forward to working with the Wisconsin Builder’s Association Remodeler’s Council and expanding our work with local Home Builders Associations to include remodeling. The door is wide open to everyone so please contact us to get involved!

Even though a formal remodeling Checklist is weeks away, Green Built Home is proud to announce that we have already enrolled our first participating remodeling contractor, TDS Custom Construction of Madison. TDS is an award winning company that has long been known as one of Madison’s premier remodeling firms. Thanks and congratulations to TDS Custom Construction for their leadership and commitment to better building! We look forward to making them the first of many remodeling contractors to join Green Built Home this year and to many more years of success with green building and green remodeling.

Green Built Coalition Takes Off

The first meeting of the Madison Area Green Built Coalition (GBC) was held on December 6th at the Madison Public Library. Thirty participants including UW students, citizens, businesses, and conservation groupswatched the documentary Blue Vinyl. A thoughtful discussion of the film and green building in general followed. Participants discussed the need for green building and ways to make the issue more prevalent in the public consciousness.

The Madison Area Green Built Coalition is the first chapter of what is envisioned to become a statewide network of individuals and organizations interested in green building, design, development and living. Inspired by the Austin (Texas) Sustainable Building Coalition, the Green Built coalition is intended to facilitate dialogue, promote education, and encourage the sharing of ideas from diverse stakeholders.

Meetings are planned for the first Monday of every other month, time and place to be announced. Meetings will be complemented with other events and activities as they arise. A green built coalition link (on www.greenbuilthome.org) is coming soon. The link will have information about upcoming meetings and events, as well as a forum for discussion.

Green Built Home welcomes new sponsors and builders

Green Built Home welcomes its new sponsors and participating builders.

NEW SPONSORS include Cedar Siding Incorporated, an Illinois based company that supplies factory finished siding products; Olympic Machine Applied Coatings and Skookum Lumber, two of Cedar Siding Inc’s partners.; Mandel Group Inc., an integrated real estate services firm with operations in development, construction and property management.; Conserv Products Inc., an independent sales rep firm for energy conservation products; Pellitteri Waste Systems, a Madison based waste hauler that is leading the industry in providing comprehensive recycling services; and Upland Technologies, manufacturer of the ENERGY VIEWER system representing a new technology allowing homeowner feedback to control their electrical energy consumption.

NEW BUILDERS include TDS Custom Construction of Madison, our first Green Built remodeling contractor; The ICF Group of Nashotah, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, McGrath Associations, Inc. of Madison, Northpointe Construction, Inc. of DeForest, Eco-Peak Enterprises of Wausau, First Homes of the Fox Valley, Sweetwood Builders, Inc. of Appleton, and J-Mar Builders of Somerset.

Green Built Home Recognition Event

To honor the fifth anniversary of Green Built Home, WEI held a recognition event and holiday reception at Arbor House, an environmental inn in Madison. Nearly 50 guests stopped by including: DNR Secretary Scott Hassett, Tourism Secretary Jim Holpherin, Bill Wendle, Executive VP for the WI Builders Association, Tom Still, President of the WI Technology Council and many other stakeholders from business, government and citizen groups. John Imes welcomed attendees and shared stories about the program’s early beginnings. John also recognized the significant contributions of the Madison Area Builders Association, Veridian Homes and MG&E and each organization received a beautiful recycled glass award for display. Program Director Nathan Engstrom also presented awards to members of the Green Built steering committee and recognized builder participants.

The Home Depot Foundation awards another $25,000 grant to Green Built Home

Shortly after being awarded a $25,000 grant by the Home Depot Foundation to develop and implement the Wisconsin Green Building Educational Campaign, Green Built Home was awarded another $25,000 grant to develop The Green Built Way to Affordable Housing.

Municipalities across Wisconsin are becoming increasingly focused on the issue of providing affordable housing within new developments. With The Home Depot Foundation’s generous support, Green Built Home intends to introduce green building concepts into these projects and make green building integral to affordable housing planning and implementation. We will reach this goal by demonstrating the practicality and feasibility of incorporating green techniques into affordable housing.

Specifically, Green Built Home will develop a set of guidelines, recommendations, sample project specifications, sample contract language, and design criteria that addresses green affordable housing in Wisconsin. These guidelines and recommendations will be developed with the input of stakeholders throughout the state and will be presented to governmental entities upon completion. The Green Built Way to Affordable Housing will provide concrete and readily available solutions to overcoming obstacles to affordability such as financing, design, building codes, market perceptions, and community opposition.

During the past decade the number of homes built in Wisconsin as increased by over 20%. Over the same period of time the median home prices has increased 100% from $62,100 to $112,200 while the median household income has only increased 33% from $29,442 to $43,791. Increasingly, the American dream is becoming just that-a dream-for the average Wisconsin family. Having tangible recommendations, guidelines, and examples for how to make housing more affordable by making it Green Built will help more families afford home ownership and protect Wisconsin’s natural environment, health, and safety.

Increasingly, the American dream is becoming just that-a dream-for the average Wisconsin family.

Green Built Home has hired UW Madison graduate student Heather Stewart to coordinate this project. Heather has been working since September to research obstacles to affordability and begin outlining possible solutions. Throughout the winter we will begin networking with affordable housing providers across the state to fine tune our recommendations and strategies. Our report, The Green Built Way to Affordable Housing, will be available in early summer.

The Home Depot Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations that are in the business of building better communities. The Home Depot and many of the suppliers who help fill Home Depot’s shelves contribute to The Home Depot Foundation to help fulfill their shared vision of creating stronger, healthier neighborhoods. The foundation focuses its efforts in the areas of affordable housing, at-risk youth, the environment and disaster preparedness. See www.homedepotfoundation.org for more information.



In Brief...
Mayor's Energy Task Force
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz invited WEI to participate on this task force, with one of its main goals to develop and help implement strategies on energy efficiency, conservation and green building design. The task force made its recommendations in a 115 page report released in October. For more on the task force and to download the report please visit www.ci.madison.wi.us/mayor/energy/index.html

Developing an AG Strategy for Green Tier
The DNR and DATCP have invited WEI and other key stakeholders representing agricultural groups, government, business and environmental organizations, to develop the business case for implementing Green Tier in the dairy ag sector. Harry Webne-Behrman, an expert in conflict resolution, is providing facilitation services for the initiative.

Board Doings
WEI is pleased to welcome Franc Fennessy to the WEI Board of Directors. Franc is manager of local relations for American Transmission Company and previously served as Deputy Secretary for the WI DNR. - Welcome Franc!

Nick Neher, a co-founder of WEI and long time member of the Executive Committee is leaving the Board due to his retirement from state government. Nick served as an Administrator for the WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection and worked in state government for over 37 years! While we wish Nick well in his retirement, we look forward to his continued involvement as an advisor to WEI.

Coming Soon...

The Green Built Home Checklist has been revised for 2005 and will be available in late January. Changes for 2005 include increasing the minimum number of points required for certification from 50 to 60 to account for the addition of numerous new items this year and last, adding a new Efficient Use of Space category to place greater emphasis on strategies for maximizing the livability of a home while minimizing its physical and ecological footprint, refining the energy testing procedures for non-ENERGY STAR homes, and adding new Checklist items. Thanks to our wonderful Steering Committee for their help in formulating these changes!

Look for a revamped Green Built Home Web site at www.GreenBuiltHome.org. In addition to a fresh appearance, the Web site will also feature new navigation, additional functionality, and a more action oriented splash page.

Work is continuing on additional resources for do-it-yourselfers and remodeling contractors at GreenBuiltHome.org. A Green Built Home Project Guide is also in the works and will provide homeowners and builders with packaged green building solutions for common projects such as building a new home, adding an addition to an existing home or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom. The Project Guide will act as a companion to the Checklist and Buyers Guide and will help distill the wealth of green building information available to manageable lists of cost effective, readily available products, materials, and design strategies.

You already know about the Green Built Home Remodeling Checklist, but watch for the Green Built Home Multifamily Checklist coming in the second half of this year.

Ashley Ellingson Joins WEI

Ashley Ellingson joins WEI as Program Assistant. Her work will concentrate on raising public awareness of the GBH program through educational events, presentations, and media coverage. Ashley's work also includes establishing coalition ties with other organizations, developing educational print materials and Web site features, and researching grant funding opportunities.

Calendar of events
March
4-5: Madison Area Builders Association’s Home Products Show, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI: www.maba.org

5: Sustainable Sweden Association visit, Madison www.sustaindane.org

April
13-15: National Green Building Conference, “Greening the American Dream,” Atlanta, GA

22: Earth Day

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