Green Schools
Making our schools green is one way to reduce our energy emissions. Incentives for building green schools come in the form of lower energy costs over the long term. Green schools also help mitigate the effects of global warming. According to the study, “Greening America’s Schools,” by Gregory Kats,
As a rough estimate, a green school could lead to the following annual emission reductions per school: 1,200 pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – a principal component of smog, 1,300 pounds of sulfur dioxide (SO2) – a principal cause of acid rain, 585,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) – the principal greenhouse gas and the principal product of combustion, and 150 pounds of coarse particulate matter (PM10) – a principal cause of respiratory illness and an important contributor to smog.
Cost incentives of Green Schools from study:
| Financial Benefits of Green Schools ($/ft2) | |
| Energy | $9 |
| Emissions | $1 |
| Water and Wastewater | $1 |
| Increased Earnings | $49 |
| Asthma Reduction | $3 |
| Cold and Flu Reduction | $5 |
| Teacher Retention | $4 |
| Employment Impact | $2 |
| Total | $74 |
| Cost of Greening | ($3) |
| Net Financial Benefits | $71 |
(1)
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Public Housing Incentives:
In early 2010, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development created the Office of Sustainable Housings and Communities, in an effort to create housing communities that work toward the goal of high sustainability. This new office is part of the Obama Administration’s larger effort known as Partnership for Sustainable Communities. (2)
One huge incentive for business owners, in terms of creating and maintaining sustainable buildings, is affordable solar power. There are three common options for on-site solar installation: long term lease, outright purchase, and power purchase agreement (PPA). The PPA option has become the most popular and affordable within the last three years, largely because it allows businesses to host solar systems and purchase solar energy with no upfront costs. These kinds of options create good incentives for business owners, landlords, and construction companies to choose methods of energy use that are sustainable. (3)
References
(1) Gregory Kats, “Greening America’s Schools: Costs and Benefits.” October 2006. Sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council.
(2) EPA. http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding.htm. (Accessed 3.7.10)
(3) http://blog.newenergy.com/2010/03/15/what-financing-options-are-available-for-solar-installations/. (Accessed 3.7.10)
