environmental plan assignment - instructions attached

Plan to Establish the National Agency for Sustainable Homes Problem at Issue. Home building in the United States demands more from natural resources as homes become larger, without improving quality-of-life for residents. Environmental Setting: Existing and new homes, nearly all of which currently make demand of water, electricity and natural resources for building and maintenance. Proposed Solution: Establishment of a subsidized program to encourage smaller scale homes which improve standards-of-living by reducing natural resource demand, encouraging the use of recycled building materials, reducing demand for energy and water, and promoting innovation in building to conserve natural resources, which will improve quality of life. This plan established the National Agency for Sustainable Homes, with an agenda to provide grants and subsidies to build and renovate homes which use sustainable or recycled building products when available, reduce energy and water usage, and reduce the footprint of homes. County extension offices, already in place throughout the country, will provide education forums and promote partnerships between citizens, trained volunteer advisors, faculty, businesses and non-profit agencies to educate the public and provide guidance for green building practices. The agency will have regional directors in the following areas of the United States to implement sustainable residential building codes suited to general climate and terrain:

Role of Cooperative State Research and Education Extension (CSREE) Offices. The extension service offices supervised and staffed by the Land Grant universities already have developed sustainability programs familiar to gardeners, farmers, orchardists and food preservers. A national sustainability program under the Natural Resources and Environment Unit already exists, and will be modified to include education and advice for green residential building and renovation. Existing programs available to the public include master gardening, master composting, master naturalists, master recyclers, and will incorporate training for green home builders.

Although CSREE is administered through the Department of Agriculture, its history serves domestic and agricultural interests with family components, placing this program within the scope of CSREE. In addition, CSREE already partners with the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy (DOE), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies in cosponsoring research and grants. Grant and approval authority is at the extension office level, with budgets managed at the regional level. Home Size. First and foremost, it is essential to reverse the trend of increasing square- footage of homes in the United States. Larger homes use more resources to build, maintain, heat and cool, without any evidence of increasing a family’s quality of life. Reducing the size of homes is economically beneficial to the homeowner because it reduces: building and maintenance expense, energy required to heat and cool the home, and property taxes (in states where property is taxed). Purchasing and maintaining a reasonably-sized home is less costly and helps the environment by reducing consumption of natural resources. The maximum square footage of livable space in a home eligible for the Sustainable Home Grant is 1200 feet if single level, 1700 feet with two levels, and 2300 feet with three levels. Green Building. One aspect of green building is use of deconstructed materials, which will be made available to the public, and warehoused safely, at reasonable, subsidized prices at sites supervised by county extension offices and staffed, in part, by volunteers certified as green and reusable building materials masters (GRBMM). Since available sustainable building materials will vary regionally, program foci will necessarily vary, even within regions. Energy and water-reducing technologies and sustainable building materials are not limited to those listed in Attachment 1. A green building rating system, which will analyze grant and subsidy eligibility, will be based on standards established by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), an organization which certifies builders to meet the challenges of building green and provides a network for manufacturers, suppliers, builders and non-profit organizations to share information program, through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Grants and subsidies will increase the demand for green building products, which will stimulate investment, research and development for materials development. This will stimulate interest in construction sensitive to the environment, beginning a movement to restructure the economy, restore the environment, and encourage sustainability. Green Architectural Engineering and Design. Architecture inclusive of locally-available building material is encouraged, such as adobe, earth blocks, stone and wood. Alternative designs, not limited to insulated concrete forms, cob and straw bale methods, is also encouraged. Building methods must comply with existing building codes associated with hazardous zones. Incorporation of daylighting to reduce artificial interior lighting, passive and active solar designs to capture heat during winter months-with eave overhangs to reduce southerly exposure during summertime1 2, walls insulated to recommended R-values to reduce interior temperature variation3, with other architectural considerations will reduce energy 1 USDOE website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/sh_basics_space.html 2 Sourcebook website: http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassSolGuide1-2.html#heat 3 Oakridge National Laboratory website: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html

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consumption in the home. Living roofs on 40% (5:12) or lower grade will reduce temperature increases in summer and losses in winter due to insulative effect while also processing stormwater4 5. Planting deciduous trees on the west and south sides of homes will reduce insolation in the summer and increase insolation in winter months. Trees and bamboo can be watered with greywater from the home when bio-sensitive detergents are used6. Xeriscaping to reduce water consumption of plants is essential to water conservation; native plants adapted to areas and bioswales to reduce stormwater runoff should be used where practical7. Bushes and trees can also be used to reduce home heat loss by serving as windbreaks. Energy Generation. Generating energy with photovoltaic and slow-rotation windmills can be used to supplement energy needs8. As energy storage technologies improve, more homes will be enabled to move off the energy grid or to supplement the grid with excess energy generated at home. Stormwater Management. Rainfall and snowmelt can be captured in cisterns to reduce landscaping water demands. In rain-prone areas, on-site stormwater can be captured by dry wells and catch basin systems to reduce municipal stormwater management9. Captured rainwater can also be used for other non-potable water uses, including toilet flushing. In dry areas, or where potable water service is not available, home filtration systems can be employed to make rainwater drinkable10. Greywater Management. Greywater from laundry, sink use and showering can be diverted to landscaping and gardens when rapidly bio-degradable surfactants are used11 12. This practice reduces the volume of sewage waste requiring treatment by municipalities or directed to septic systems. Solar Heating and Cooling. Solar energy can be used for heating and cooling applications. Domestic hot water and hydronic space heating or preheating reduces energy consumption. Solar geometry and climate dictate architecture and determine seasonal solar active and/or passive contributions to a home13. Solar cooling can be achieved with solar chimneys and is best when carpets and drapes are not used in a home during summer months and home siting takes advantage of wind patterns14. Passive space heating with double or triple glazed windows facing south with substantial thermal mass will retain the most heat, and siting is best when oriented east-west15.

4 Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website: http://www.greenroofs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=4 5 HydroTech website: http://www.hydrotechusa.com/garden-roof.htm 6 Rainwater Club website: http://www.rainwaterclub.org/greywater.htm 7 USDOE website: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/landscaping/index.cfm/mytopic=11960 8 Skystream website: http://www.skystreamenergy.com/skystream/will-skystream-work/ 9 EnTech Inc. website: http://www.entech-us.com/drywell.htm 10 Rainwater Harvesting Guide website: http://www.rain-barrel.net/drinking-rainwater.html 11 Rainwater Club website: http://www.rainwaterclub.org/greywater.htm 12 Oasis Design website: http://www.oasisdesign.net/greywater/index.htm 13 Sourcebook website: http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/HeatCool.html#ACTIVESPACE 14 Sourcebook website: http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassiveSol.html 15 Sourcebook website: http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassSolGuide1-2.html#heat

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Geothermal Ventilation, Heating and Cooling. Ground-based heat exchange systems using either ground-ducted air, or heat transferred by liquid medium to air, can be used to pre-heat and pre-cool air for home systems. During summer months, instead of transferring excess heat to the Earth, it can be used to heat water for domestic use with desuperheaters. The same concept can be used for hydronic space heating, where a liquid circulates throughout floors of a home to radiate heat.16 The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is currently funding, researching and developing prototypes to reduce grid energy consumption by homes to zero17. The Earth provides a very stable temperature at only four feet below ground, an excellent natural pre- heater and air conditioner, with a bonus of hot water in heat exchange. Timeline. Complete plan will be implemented over a three-year period. Research will be consolidated and regional sustainable building codes will be established, and staff trained to educate the public about qualified building and renovation plans, in the first two years--a collaborative effort by USGBC and NASH. Established international regional building code (IBC) can be referenced for standards (i.e. eco-roofs are a specialty in Germany). Sustainable building practices are encouraged in the interim, and funds will be made available within one year to support home building and renovation, but plan approvals are not likely to be expeditious during the training interval. Budget. This program is expected to be in demand, as the homeowner’s investment is offset by grants and subsidies, and home values will increase due to technological advances and reduced demand for resources. Initial annual budget is $10 billion. This program’s value to the homeowner and economy overall is expected to rise, and subsequent budgets are likely to require additional funding. Total program budget will be reconsidered when $500 billion18 to support the program has been allocated in the form of grants and subsidies to homeowners.

16 USDOE website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/heatpumps.html 17 NREL website: http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/res_building_design.html#ventilation 18 Not to exceed the cost of the War on Terror before program review.

Product Category

Justification

Funding Eligibilities

Framing Products Reclaimed/recycled wood Sustainable harvested wood Recycled steel beams and studs

Using recycled wood will reduce demand for timber harvesting. Wood harvested without siltation to streams, utilizing patch-cut, thinning and other sustainable harvesting techniques. Regionally recycled steel reduces demand for ore and delivery costs.

Fund warehouse sites to accept and distribute recycled and deconstructed building materials. Subsidize sustainable harvested timber certification programs. Subsidize steel recycling.

Foundations Concrete with some% recycled concrete Concrete with some% crushed green glass Concrete with fly ash generated by coal-fired plants Concrete with structural fiberglass

Including recycled concrete and glass products in mixes reduces demand for aggregate, reduces landfill volumes and uses available materials without compromising strength. Portions of fly-ash generated by coal-fired plants can also be incorporated to reduce Portland cement content per application. Reclaimed fiberglass filaments can be used in place of rebar for structural concrete.

Subsidize recycled concrete production. Subsidize green glass recycling (brown glass has a viable market already) for concrete applications. Concrete producers will use fly ash when available because it reduces cost of production (subsidies are not needed). Subsidize reclamation of fiberglass for concrete application.

Paved Areas Recycled concrete pavers Porous/pervious concrete

Using recycled concrete products as pavers reduces landfill volume. Pavers and pervious concrete allow stormwater to recharge water tables.

Provide grants to homeowners to use pervious and/or reusable pavements.

Product Category

Justification Funding Eligibilities

Siding Reclaimed/recycled wood products High-strength plywood siding (formaldehyde-free) Cement board Recycled aluminum siding

Reclaimed wood products deconstructed before demolition projects can provide siding and trim. High-strength plywood increases sheer strength of exterior with fewer resources. Cement board and recycled aluminum as siding products are very long-lived and durable.

Reclaimed wood is available to homeowners at county extension warehouse sites at reduced costs. Subsidize high-strength plywood production. Provide grants to homeowners for cement board and recycled aluminum siding. [Aluminum recycling is energy intensive, so subsidies are not recommended, but that does not detract from the longevity of the product.]

Insulation Recycled polystyrene fiber Fiberglass batting & loose fill Rigid foam (exterior application) Reflective insulation

Insulation from recycled materials will reduce landfill volume and reduce hydrocarbon demand when recycled polystyrene is used in building insulation. Recycled and reclaimed fiberglass is increasingly available. R-value recommendations are available by ZIP code19.

Provide grants to homeowners for insulation. Continue tax credits for insulation of living spaces.

Windows and Doors Windows/doors with low emission glazing, triple panes & blinds Recycled plastics windows Recycled aluminum-clad doors Recycled steel-clad doors Insulated skylights

Energy-efficient doors and windows are widely available.

Provide grants for doors and windows meeting threshold for low emission, glazing and recycled content. Continue tax credits for energy efficient doors and windows.

19 Oakridge National Laboratory website: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html

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Product Category

Justification Funding Eligibilities

Roofing Pigmented roofing Solar roofing Eco (living) roofs Recycled vinyl membrane roofing

Pigmented metal roofing reflects heat away from the home. Solar roofing and solar panels reduce electrical consumption. Eco roofs planted with drought tolerant native species and low growing grasses and wildflowers are aesthetically appealing, increase insulation of roofs, and use rainwater (creating a pervious surface) and reducing stormwater leaving the property. Recycled vinyl membranes are used under eco roof systems and are long-lived.

Subsidize research and development into solar roofing systems and storage. Provide grants to homeowners for roofing meeting energy conservation requirements.

Water heating Solar water heaters (preheating) On-demand water heaters Desuperheaters

Water can be heated or pre-heated by solar water heaters which use tubing exposed to sunlight to heat and recirculate water20. On-demand water heaters heat only the water to be immediately used; no water is heated in storage21. Desuperheaters transfer heat from cooling process during summer to water in storage22.

Provide grants to homeowners for all water heaters reducing energy consumption.

Space Heating Hydronic space heating (radiant) Ground-source heat pumps

Where geothermal water exceeding 80 degrees is locally available, direct thermal heating is encouraged. Air temperature can be modulated in warm and cool months with air pre-heated or cooled by the Earth by ground-source heat pumps.

Provide grants to homeowners for all geothermal heating for homes.

20 USDOE website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/sh_basics_water.html 21 USDOE website: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12820 22 USDOE website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/heatpumps.html

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Product Category

Justification

Funding Eligibilities

Water Efficiency Dual flow toilets Low flow showerheads and faucets Water-efficient washing machines Water-efficient dishwashers Rainwater collection (cisterns)

Water efficiency is the most obvious solution for water conservation.

Subsidize production of water efficient fixtures and rainwater collection. Provide grants to homeowners for measures to improve water efficiency.

Flooring Recycled concrete in floors Concrete with green glass floors Fly-ash in concrete floors Natural linoleum Tile and flagstone

Concrete floors provide thermal mass for solar heating and cooling and using recycled products reduces demand for resources. Using natural linoleum reduces pollution by reducing manufacturing of sheet flooring. Tile and flagstone are long-lived and can contribute to thermal mass for solar heating and cooling and transfer radiant heat to living spaces.

Provide grants to homeowners for natural flooring and floors contributing to thermal mass and radiant heating.

Lighting Daylighting Solar lighting Fluorescent lighting

Solar lighting and hybrid lighting uses fiber optics to transmit natural light into areas without daylighting, or combines solar lighting with electrical lighting.23

Subsidize production of lighting reducing energy consumption. Provide grants to homeowners who utilize daylighting in architecture.

23 USDOE website: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_lighting.html