December 22, 2012 was a day filled with opportunities to learn more about sustainability and how people, organizations and businesses are getting involved locally.  It is the first day of tours and speakers that I will partake in over the next few weeks.  During this time my goal is to understand how we as individual people and organization impact our neighborhood, city, state, nation and ultimately the world.  Being that sustainability has so many closely related definitions and how people, business and organization interpret what it is to them, that it makes me into a skeptic believer.  However, becoming a new farther for the second time makes me route for the possible.  Just like any other loving parent I want to live my life in a way that my generation can grow and develop in a way that will not jeopardize the ability of my great grandchildren’s grandchildren to do the same.  Which I believe is at the core of any definition or interpretation of sustainability.

Amari Roskelly, Jacobs Engineering

The first speaker of the day was a fellow UTA REAE/Sustainability alumnus Amari Roskelly of Jacobs Engineering.  Amari is the Sustainability Coordinator for the Department of Defense division at Jacobs Engineering.  Jacobs is one of the largest engineering firms in the world and offer services in the areas of scientific and specialty consulting, engineering, construction, operations and maintenance.  Jacob’s has lead the charge with building and upgrading U.S. government buildings to a sustainable quality.   

   

    

                                      
                              

The Army, Navy and Air Force are the branches of the military that they work for the most.  A majority of Jacobs’ oversight in the sustainable aspect of construction projects are associated with hangers, air traffic control towers and barracks.

There are many different facets involved in sustainability such as the basic needs for water, food, shelter, clothing and social interaction. By the very nature of the Jacob’ functionality Jacobs is best suit to tackle the challenges of providing sustainable shelter.  Some of the main areas of focus when planning construction for shelter is energy efficiency, water efficiency, material’s chemical content, connection to others within the building, connection to other shelters in the community through re-adaptive architecture .

The way Jacobs does this is by applying sustainable standards established by a rating system called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).  The federal government requires all federal building projects to be at least silver rated according to LEED standards.  LEED is the only rating system the government allows Jacobs to use for its projects.   In an effort to control cost the government will make some of its projects LEED certifiable.  This means that all procedures and standards of LEED have been taken in completing a project however the project is never official submitted for LEED approval which means it can’t be recognized as “LEED certified”.  Either the way I can appreciate the fact the the federal government is trying to lead by example.  

Rating System Categories                                                                     Certification Levels

§Sustainable Sites                                                                       §Certified – 40 to 49

§Water Efficiency                                                                         §Silver – 50 to 59

§Energy and Atmosphere                                                             §Gold – 60 to 79

§Materials and Resources                                                                               §Platinum – 80 to 110

§Indoor Environmental Quality

One of the current projects that Jacobs is working on for the government is a Net Zero project at Fort Carson Army Base.  Net Zero is when a building leaves zero carbon footprints.  This is done by the base producing its own energy, collecting precipitation and reusing grey water as well as re-purposing waste into renewable energy.

Jacobs doesn't just build sustainable projects but are also practicing being a good neighbor to the environment with its facilities and community participation efforts.  Jacobs Engineering is a good example of how major corporations are becoming contributors to the cause.  Located on Jacobs sustainability web page you can see the previous years activities and benchmarks of the sustainability division by accessing the Sustainability reports at http://www.jacobs.com/about.aspx?id=614



Maria Redburn, Bedford Library

Then we took a drive over to the Bedford Public Library were I was amazed at what a small city in the DFW metroplex had the will to do.  Maria is the head librarian at the Bedford Public Library.  In an effort to cut cost in order to keep the library open and get a bigger library for the community Maria took on the daunting task of learning about the green industry and implementing energy saving products into the construction plans for the state of the art library.

Facing a fiscally conservative board, she won the vote 5 to 4 to build the new library with the sustainable products.  Apparently the four that voted against the library weren’t aware of how a building with the right sustainable products and energy efficient controls in place can save more money then it cost to get the products.

Maria struggle with learning the green and construction industry should be a testament to use all on what persistence, dedication and passion can accomplish.  Green products have a reputation of being extremely expensive.  Just like any construction material there are materials that can be very costly, but with the advancements in technology and increase popularity many products have reduced in price or offer less expensive alternatives.  For those with the extra cash or skill sent.  The current federal administration and many electric companies have established many grants t and programs hat can help to absorb a lot or all the cost of certain types energy efficient products and projects.  Marie hired a grant writer which cost several thousand dollars.  However the return on that investment was tremendous in the tone of over $2 million dollars of grant moneys obtain.  

Some of the key highlights with there benefits:

• Converted an old Food Lion grocery store

• Reflective light roof
•  Cheaper then a traditional roof
• Re-Purposed the pebble roof material to help with ground erosion in one of the local parks.
• Solar panels  

824 solar panels that create 251kw of power 

• Geothermal wells on average is 50% more efficient

Drilling for Geothermal well locations with old  Food  Lions building in the background

• Added insulation to ceiling and walls
• LED ballast lighting runs on only 16 amps of energy. Which is equivalent to a hairdryer.
• motion sensors
• Lots of natural light in the young adult section and throughout library to reduce the need for lights.

Although the library has more than doubled in size with 3 times the computers, the new library's energy bills are only $400-$700 more a month. Maria has put on display how these environmentally friendly changes tangibly look by installing station that shows the real time energy consumption of the  library.  What good is a cause if know one knows what you have done.  Hopefully this will inspire others to make changes to the way consume energy. In the first year the library saved  $19k in energy cost.  With  the saving they bought much needed equipment. 

Hidell Associates Architects did a fabulous job with this building.  It shows that you can have a building that can be beautiful and good for the environment at the same time.

                                                                  

                    

Don Ferrier, Ferrier Custome Homes

The third speaker was Don Ferrier.  He specializes in building that are designed to be sustainable.  He presentation hit home(literally) because that what he focusing is on residential housing.  Mr. Ferrier mention that at one point majority of his clientele was be Baby Boomers but he has since started to trend to a younger group around the age of 35-42 .  Many of the houses that are built or remodeled fall on the lower end of the Home Energy Rating System (HERS).  In fact this is achieved without the inclusion of photovoltaic cells (solar panels), wind or hydro power systems.  So adding these things could possibly bring the house's rating down to NetZero.  Ferrier Custom Homes in 2010 became the first to build a LEED Platinum home.


Don provided some info that I found myself talking to my wife about since we will be getting back into the housing market.  Being that most houses aren't built with sustainable energy concepts in mind we will probably end up having to build our home.  A person would be hard press to find a home constructed and designed with true energy efficiency in mind. Outside of double pane windows and an A/C with a minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 12 this would be about the jest of what you would find out there.

From Don's presentation these will be some of the things that I will educate my wife on so that we can make the best decision when look at new housing choices:

• Budget

                     Outside of education this is a leading reason why homes aren't eco friendly

• HERS or LEED rating you want to accomplish 
• Builder with a good energy team and resources
• Building's air/water tightens

                    Primary point of intrusion are the windows and doors

• A/C

                     No less then 14 SEER

• Energy generating source

                     Solar, wind, thermal and Hydro

•  Natural lighting

                    Window placement and shading - have to be mind full of sun's angel during the 

                    different seasons.

Passive lighting

Winter Solstice shadow

                    Solar tubing

• Insulation and internal wall materials

                   Structural insulated paneling (SIP)                                      

                    Spray Foam

                    Advance framing

• Roofing materials
• Landscaping
• Ceiling to roof distance(vaulted ceiling)            

               Typically this is the reason why vaulted ceilings have gotten such a bad wrap. 

               The gap between the ceiling and roof is so small that only a thin piece of foam is used.

I believe that if I to some extent, can apply all of these methods with my next housing venture  I should be able to noticeably increase my energy efficiency and would have made a honest effort at sustainable living.  At least as far as shelter is concerned.  

Allen Smith, Southeast FW Inc.

Southeast  FW Inc. and its Director Allen Smith stopped in to talk about its roll it plays in severing the under developed Southeastern sector of Ft. Worth.  Southeast FW Inc. is a non profit neighborhood and community development group that is a key player in bring which I'm sure will be the largest employer of local residents and only grocer of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats;Wal-Mart.  Phase 1 of the Renaissance Square will be the development area that will house Wal-Mart, Dots, Ross and Rue21 just to name a few of the national retailers who have already signed their leases.  Renaissance Square will be an injection of hope and economic stimulation that I'm sure this area hasn't seen in quite some time.  If ever.

Through sponsors and government grants SEFW Inc has revitalize several homes and has built several others in the Terrell Heights area. 

This program is a great example of how sustainability encompasses societal equities as well.  For most people when sustainability is mentioned the last thing they would think of is social and economical deprivation.  However, this is one of the three key areas that a sustainable planner needs to take into consideration.

Hopefully the representatives that have been voted into position will continue to be steadfast in their efforts in finding additional opportunities to bring positive exposure to the area and also put the sales tax dollars back to work in the communities in the most efficient manner possible.

Andre McEwing, TCC

The final presenter of the day was also a fellow UTA alumni Andre McEwing a Supplier Diversity Manager -Purchasing at Tarrant County College.  He talked to us about connecting what we are learning to the real world and connecting all of the dots in between.  One of my concerns during the process of selecting a masters program was how it align with my career goals?  Would the program selected not only reflect my passions but allow me the opportunity to get a good return on my investment.  Considering my background in the mortgage industry it would seem that my choice to seek a Master of Real Estate would have been an easy choice but it wasn't because my number one concern was would my degree continue to be relevant.   Then when I chose to add the Sustainability option to my degree the uncertainty of something so specialize and for the most part minuscule among coffee table discussions, became an even greater concern. However at the end of the day I chose sustainability not for the money but because I hope I can make a difference.

With the help of cheaper products and free money to assist with purchase of sustainability materials there is a slow increase in sustainable popularity.  Sustainability is starting to show up more in post secondary education, corporate America and Wall Street as well.  In June of this year Tarrant County College will be breaking ground on a $35 million LEED Platinum building where courses in sustainability and other subjects will be taught.  In 2009 there where 26 Green Building and Sustainable Development Investment Funds.  In 2011 there where over 300 holdings on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.  Warren Buffet companies have spent almost $5 billion, that's right, that's BILLION, in the last year buying solar companies and projects.  So there has to be something to all of this activity.  I would have to assume that TCC and Mr. Buffett performed due diligence to the utmost their abilities before investing the amount of resources they did.

Topaz solar farm

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors at least 75% of cities are changing building codes and/or ordinances to encourage green or sustainable buildings.  This is a good sign.  Local government plays a major part in what happens local because the decisions made at this level are felt a little more.