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| Cultivate Green |
Potential Impact - Example
Austin Green Building Program
- 2003 impact as a whole has been figured at 9.15MW of peak load reduction.
- The total 21,600 megawatt-hour savings equals a $1.8 million savings for customers.
- The single-family program is still growing at a phenomenal speed.
- Rated 602 homes this year, about 22% of new homes built in the service area.
- In terms of pollution reduction:
- CO2 = 18, 343 tons
- NOx = 31.3 tons
- SOx = 69 tons
- Pollution reduction is equal to planting 17,900 trees or permanently removing 870 cars from
The overall program will be comprised of a variety of program approaches but the core is education and outreach. An advisory committee comprised of CG volunteers and participants will outline and develop the program elements as well as support implementation on tactical elements.
Website
This website will be used as a means of information dissemination. The site will be directed toward consumers, contractors, designers, realtors, mortgage bankers, the insurance industry, and any others interested in greening the Houston area.
Other Potential Program Elements
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Online Local Green Materials Database (www.localgreenmaterials.org)
- Participant and sponsor recognition
- Checklist/Certification/Quantification Tools
- The creation and use of these types of tools can help to define the design, technology, and/or material specifications and methods of construction that are necessary for better home construction and ease in home certification. The CG program is being developed to allow and encourage both the public and large and small builders to participate through the sharing of experince, knowledge, and dialog. The goal obviously is for all in the Houston area to reap the benefits.
- CG could create outreach programs specifically for smaller communities to facilitate their participation in simplified green building programs.
- CG can both model and assist in the quantification of energy utilization to facilitate and to expand opportunities for energy efficient and green mortgages.
- Credit Union
CG is exploring the possibility of initiating a "CG Credit Union." A credit union is a cooperative between people with common goals or interests, thus the "CG Credit Union" would be a financial institution for people with an interest in sustainability - potentially including everyone.
After establishing sufficient capital, the credit union could as an example provide special loans or mortgages for environmentally friendly purchases such as hybrid or electric vehicles, high efficiency appliances, home renovations to increase efficiency, and homes that are efficient in terms of energy and location - providing another financial benefit to homes designated by a recognized Green building program. Loans for such improvements, which help the buyer save money, should be given on more favorable terms than traditional loans by crediting the buyer for the money they will save on energy or transportation expenses. This can be accomplished only if "green" or sustainable development minded individuals invest in "green" financial institutions like the CG Credit Union. The credit union could also move into other traditional financial services such as checking accounts and credit cards.
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| Page Updated/Reviewed: 05/18/2006 10:02 AM |
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