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Green Tech/Building Initiatives & Potential Insurance Issues
“GREEN, GREENER, GREENEST”
STRIMA 2008 ConferenceDaniels, West Virginia
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Disclaimer
This program or presentation is only a tool to assist you in managing your responsibility to maintain safe premises, practices, operations and equipment, and is not for the benefit of any other party. The program or presentation does not cover all possible hazardous conditions or unsafe acts that may exist, and does not constitute legal advice. For decisions regarding use of the practices suggested by this program or presentation, follow the advice of your own legal counsel. Travelers disclaims all forms of warranties whatsoever, without limitation. Implementation of any practices suggested by this program or presentation is at your sole discretion, and Travelers or its affiliates shall not be liable to any party for any damages whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the information provided or its use. This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers, nor is it a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law.
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Objectives
• Attendees should be able to:
Define green technology in the context of green building
Discuss potential risks of going green
Identify methods to minimize the risks
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Green, Greener, Greenest – What’s so GREEN?
Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Bruce Green
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Green, Greener, Greenest – What about this one???
Source: University of Maine at Farmington
Education Center
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What Is Green?
• Going green can mean many different things!
Green Technology generally indicates products and/or services that:
– Positively affect the environment
– Conserve natural resources
– Reduce energy consumption
• Focusing the concepts of Green Technology, Products and Processes together for:
Building Renovation
Building Construction
Building Operation
= GREEN BUILDING
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Green Tech - Green Building
Energy
Green materials/products
Site sustainability Conservation
Indoor environmental quality
Innovation & design
Energy Costs – Natural Resources – Availability of Green Products
Why the focus on Buildings?
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Primary Opportunities For Green Building
• Within the U.S., buildings account for:
39% of total energy consumption
70% of electricity consumption
39% of CO2 emissions
40% of raw material usage
30% of waste output
12% of potable water usage
• Research also reveals that 89% of future generations will choose brands that align with social causes = BIG BUSINESS
Sources U.S. Green Building Council Web site (www.usgbc.org)
2006 U.S. DOE Buildings Energy Data Book EIA Annual Energy Review 2005; U.S. EIA/DOE U.S. Geological Service (1995 Data)
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Why Green Building Now?
• Primary reasons/benefits include:
Negative environmental impacts
Rising costs – energy/materials
Limited supply of fossil fuels
Smaller carbon footprint
Health concerns
Less constraints - Fast tracking permits
Green tax incentives
Overall cost savings = ROI
The “PERFECT GREEN STORM”
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Green Building – Financial Advantages
• Although may cost on average 2–8% more to initially construct or incorporate, can result in:
8-9% decrease in operating cost (mainly through increased efficiencies)
7.5% increase in building values
6.6% improvement in ROI (over building life cycle)
3.5% increase in occupancy (improved occupant well-being)
3% rent increase
Source: U.S. Green Building Council Web site (www.usgbc.org)
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Being Green isn’t new!!
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Green, Greener, Greenest – University of Southern Maine
Source: University of Southern Maine – Portland campus; Wishcamper Center
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Photo Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Steve Hall & Hedrich Blessing
Green, Greener, Greenest – Life Sciences/Labs
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Green Building Certifications
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) = LEED
www.usgbc.com
• Green Building Initiative (GBI) = Green Globes Rating Tool www.thegbi.com
• U.S. EPA & Department of Energy = Energy Star www.energystar.gov
Others:
• Breeam (www.breeam.org)
• UK Green Building Council (www.ukgbc.org)
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Green Building - Tremendous Growth
• GOVERNMENTS ARE ON-BOARD. – as of May 22, 2008: 263 governmental authorities had implemented some form of Green Building mandate.
• LEED projects are currently ongoing in all 50 states, and in 69 countries world-wide.
• Since CY 2000 (year LEED was introduced), USGBC membership has increased ten-fold.
• As of May 1, 2008, nearly 3.5+ billion square feet (10,000+ projects) of commercial building space is involved with LEED certification – up 480% since 2006.
• Every day, approx. $464 million worth of construction registers with LEED.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council Web site (www.usgbc.org)
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Going Green – Governments are On-Board• As of August 1, 2008: LEED Initiatives (Legislation, Exec Orders,
Resolutions, Ordinances, Policies & Incentives) can be found in:
98 Cities, 29 counties, 25 towns, 31 states, 12 fed agencies or depts., 15 public school jurisdictions & 38 institutions of high education.
Most recent Examples (U.S. GBC LEED Initiatives in Govt. & Schools):
• June 28, 2008: State of Indiana: Executive Order 08-14; requires all new state buildings to earn LEED Silver certification, EPA’s Energy Star rating, two Globes under GBI (or similar green building rating system). Also impacts renovations of existing state buildings.
• June 25, 2008: State of Florida: HB 7135; requires all new construction and renovation of state buildings to follow LEED or similar guidelines. As of July 1, 2008, requires same from counties, municipalities, school districts, water mgt districts, state universities, community colleges, and Florida state courtS.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council, LEED Initiatives in Governments and Schools, July 2008
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Green Tech - Green Building
Energy
Green materials/products
Site sustainability Conservation
Indoor environmental quality
Innovation & design
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Energy – Increased Efficiency & Alternatives
• Alternative Energy Sources
Solar - PV & thermal
Wind turbines
Geothermal - power/heating
Biomass - biofuels (generators / co-gen)
Fuel Cells (energy/co-gen)
Hydro electric
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Energy - Alternative/Renewable
Photo Courtesy DOE/NREL, Credit – Warren Gretz
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Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) – Oberlin, OH
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – Robb Williamson
Oberlin College – Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies
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Solar Thermal
Jefferson County Jail, Golden, CO
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit – David Parsons
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Energy – Considerations
Some Potential Issues Some Recommended Controls
Type and size Determine demand & resource availability
Environmental exposures Confirm established track record within anticipated environment
Proposed location of installation Possible need for structural analysis; safe access for service/maintenance
System certification & vendor track record
Product/system certifications, as well as vendor experience/past work
Physical & health hazards Implement safety and industrial hygiene controls (maintenance)
Warranty – life cycle considerations Product disposed of at end of life
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Green Materials/Products – Benefits (Wants)
• Low toxicity
• Minimal emissions
• Low-VOC assembly
• Recycled content
• Recyclable-reusable
• Improved indoor air quality (IAQ)
• Sustainable - Renewable
• Durable
• Healthfully maintained
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Green Materials/Products - Examples
• Fungi based insulation
• Structurally insulated panels (SIP)
• Hemp trim boards/insulation
• Recycled concrete floors
• Petroleum-based vs. Natural Fiber (e.g., wool) carpet.