Legislation Attempts to Block Progress on the Energy Code

The AIA/WA testified in opposition to House Bill 2928 on Friday, Jan. 29. This bill was introduced because the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) submitted two petitions regarding the State Building Code Council (SBCC) processes regarding creation of new energy codes.

JARRC asserts that the SBCC didn't complete the requested small-business impact statement or a satisfactory cost benefit analysis, so they turned to the legislature. The SBCC stated that it did comply with the requests of the JARRC in the best manner possible and that such an analysis based on one code, not all codes as a whole, is nearly impossible.

The AIA/WA believes the intent of this bill is focused on slowing the institution of new energy code policy adopted in 2009. HB 2928, while focused on the process of how the SBCC carried out its duties, effectively blocks implementation of the new energy code. If passed, HB 2928 will obstruct the new energy code policy and put Washington behind on its energy efficiency goals.

AIA/WA Executive Director Stan Bowman testified in opposition and Angie Homola, County Commissioner for Island County and a licensed architect, testified as well.

Homola sits on the SBCC and was able to highlight the rigorous steps taken by the SBCC during rule creation for the new state energy code. Homola testified in opposition and stated her willingness to work with the sponsor, Rep. Hasegawa, to find a different approach regarding processes.

Public Meeting on Climate Change

Public meeting to gather input on the development of the state’s integrated climate change response strategy will be held:

December 10th, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas St.
Wenatchee, WA 98801

In 2009, the Washington legislature passed Senate Bill 5560 directing the Department of Ecology to partner with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation “to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” The strategy is due to the Legislature in December of 2011.

The agencies are requesting initial feedback from the public. These meetings will be used to provide an overview of the strategy framework, provide background on the need for such a strategy for Washington State. Check the DOE website for more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm.

New Rules for Harvesting Rainwater - Former President Publishes Article

Past AIA/WA President, Timothy Buckley, of Greenstone Architecture, recently published an article on rainwater harvesting in the Vancouver Business Journal. Although the collection and use of rainwater is beneficial to the environment, Washington architects have had a hard time getting rights to harvest it.

In his article Buckley notes, “for years, the region's green building community has been working with the DOE and the State Legislature to get the rules changed. Unlike our neighbors in Oregon, developers wishing to harvest rainwater in Washington were required to wade into a state water rights permit backlog - considered by many to be a futile effort.” However, as Buckley details further, some difficulties with water rights are changing.

You can read about all the new policies that are changing the rules on water harvesting and the entire article here.

NGA Endorses 2030 Goals

The AIA has received press coverage from the New York Times regarding its 2030 goals. What garnered the attention of the paper was an endorsement by the National Governors Association (NGA) as part of their resolution on energy efficiency.

Washington State was at the forefront of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the passage of Senate Bill 5854 during the 2009 Legislative Session. Governor Gregoire announced shortly after signing the bill that she would be taking the new legislation to NGA meeting so that other states could effectively mirror it.

With NGA’s resolution a new push for every state to implement a carbon neutral construction code will begin. You can read the NY Times article here.

AIA Washington Council Testifies in Support of Reducing Emissions

Buildings are the greatest source of emissions and energy consumption in America. They consume between one third and one half of the energy expended in the United States. Buildings use two-thirds of all electricity and produce approximately one-third of carbon dioxide emissions. These numbers are only expected to rise.

To order to reduce building pollution the AIA Washington Council is supporting 2SHB 1747 and 2SSB 5854 which will implement the recommendations of the Governor’s Climate Action Team and significantly improve energy efficiency in Washington buildings.

The bills have faced some opposition from those who are concerned that increasing the energy effectiveness in buildings will also increase the cost of housing. You can see AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, address these concerns and others during the hearing for 2SSB 5854 below.

Director Bowman also testified on 2SHB 1747 Friday, which you can see at TVW by clicking here

Hearing Held on Sustainability

One of the first issues taken up by the new legislature is sustainable design. Today, the Senate Environment Water & Energy Committee held a hearing on how the state’s public universities are implementing sustainable design on their campuses.

The hearing provided important information on what practices are in place now. This information provides a background for lawmakers prior to the introduction of new sustainable design legislation.

The AIAWA is working with a coalition of organizations to draft and introduce legislation promoting more sustainable design and construction practices for public and private sector buildings.

Representatives from these universities testified: University of Washington, Western Washington University, Evergreen State College, Central Washington University and Washington State University.

Sustainability Champion Awarded Architects Highest Honor

Norman Strong, FAIA, the managing partner of The MillerHull Partnership, was awarded the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northwest & Pacific Region (NW&P) 2008 Medal of Honor, on October 10 at the NW&P Conference in Honolulu, HI. This prestigious award is conferred annually on a region architect who has consistently demonstrated excellence or service to the profession.

A list of Strong’s volunteerism would fill pages but for him it comes naturally from devotion to the profession. “I have always liked to build things, even in grade school. After I graduated from WSU and found MillerHull I remember saying ‘they are paying me to do what I love’,” states Strong, a Northwest native who earned his Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) from Washington State University. “Now, every day is unique,” he continues, “both with opportunities and challenges.” Strong has faced the challenges of being an architect, especially regarding sustainability, with a vision and dedication that made him the ideal recipient for this award.

His vision was evident while Strong served as chair of the Sustainability Discussion Group (SDiG) last year, when the group introduced revolutionary ideas about energy reduction. The SDiG focus is on the 2030 Challenge, which is to get all buildings to carbon neutrality by the year 2030. “This is not an easy task,” states Strong, “so we produced the 50to50 series of articles on 50 ways to reach a 50% energy reduction. The SDiG also proposed, and it was accepted, that 4 of our 18 mandatory learning units be focused on energy and carbon reducing design.” The SDiG and Strong’s efforts impacted all levels of the AIA and created a model for others to emulate that even the highest offices in the United State government noticed.

“The AIA was called in by the US House of Representatives to understand how they could redefine their workplace and offices,” says Strong about the creation of the Sustainable Design Assistance Team (SDAT) for the US Capitol. Strong chaired the SDAT which proposed ways to increase public access, improve the worklife of staff, and as an outcome reduce consumption of energy in old, historic buildings. “Bottom line,” states Strong, “the culture of Capitol Hill will need to change to impact each of these elements, but we were able to give them tangible and achievable goals.”

Strong’s commitment to sustainable design isn’t just a recent passion; it’s the hallmark of his career. Strong has been with Seattle based firm The MillerHull Partnership, a nationally recognized 60-person firm, since 1979 when there were only three employees. He was “drawn to the firm” he states, “because of their remarkable innovation and focus on unique solutions to sustainable design, or whatever we called it back then,” he laughs. Strong says the firm continues to have sustainability as an emphasis, a focus that was relevant in 1979, is today, and will be in the future. “I am extremely optimistic about the future of architects and our role in addressing the huge issues of climate change,” says Strong. “Together, with our clients and our builders, we can and will make a difference; and show a way to live more responsibly in the communities where we live and work.” With vision and dedication like this it is clear why architects chose to honor Strong with their most prestigious award.