EI's Policy Forum Series: 2012 Legislative Preview

Topics ranged from aquatic invasive species to transportation challenges. But the topic creating the most buzz revolved around the representatives’ 2011 visit to Germany regarding the similarities and differences among our long term energy strategies.

Minnesota has greater renewable energy resources with wind and solar, yet Germany is further down the technological journey around energy conservation and implementation. Their ambitious goal of achieving 24 percent less green house gas (GHG) emissions by 2020 (based on 1990 levels) dwarfs the U.S. commitment of 19 percent below 2007 levels. That commitment was made two years ago in Copenhagen, according to Representative Kate Knuth (District 50B, New Brighton). Although many critics argue whether this is realistically attainable, these are impressive goals and could no doubt result in great gains.

Legislative Preview - Networking Break

While the options for solving these issues varied as much as the topics, what’s refreshingly different among this group of EI supporters is the ability and willingness to find common ground and implement creative, win/win solutions. This collaboration is a welcome change from the increasingly common trend these days for parties to hold that line in their opposing views, which leads to gridlock and halts productive action. Perhaps the EI staff and supporters should take their show on the road!

Our last post addressed Product Stewardship. One way to accurately measure a product’s impact on the environment is to conduct an LCA. An LCA is a mass balance of all inputs and outputs of a product; it includes the mining of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, and energy required to use the product as well as the impacts after its original intended use has ended (the product is either land filled or recycled back into a new product).

Once product category rules are in place and LCAs are conducted, manufacturers can place Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) on their products. These are factual labels and differ from single-attribute green certifications in that they don’t declare superior “greenness” of the product. They simply state data about the product’s environmental impacts. For example, they would indicate “XX” amount of water consumed and/or “XX” amount of energy used. The labels will help reduce confusion and allow customers to make purchases best aligned with their values. Additionally, EPDs foster transparency and will ultimately promote product stewardship.

Best Buy hosted the event at their headquarters in Bloomington, MN. A panel of experts addressed drivers ranging from customer demand to regulatory mandates, and discussed challenges facing manufacturers. Additionally, strategies were offered to minimize a product’s overall environmental impact.

Some common themes arose throughout the presentations and breakout sessions. Product stewardship is one contributing factor to the overall sustainability efforts of successful companies. Integrating it into the vision is key to ensuring it’s engrained in all processes and not perceived as extra work. Regulatory efforts can be effective, however industry-leading companies tend to stay ahead of looming governmental mandates as their core values guide them towards long term success.

Next year’s topics are in the works and will continue the theme of covering issues relevant to organizations, NGO’s, governmental agencies and individual citizens alike. Environmental concerns like water consumption, energy use, air quality and others know no boundaries. The consensus is that solutions addressing these issues require collaboration. We commend Environmental Initiative for their successful work in bringing all parties together and implementing solutions that work for all.

The five core ECO3 Warriors meet twice a month for an hour. They work on and around the production floor and continually look for ways to reduce waste and/or improve efficiency. They also receive suggestions from co-workers. A recent project redesigned a material sequencing process that resulted in a 24.5-ton annual reduction of cardboard waste. Another project partnered with the neighboring 3M facility 1.5 miles away. Over a 1½-year period, Renewal sent more than 127 tons of sawdust for use as fuel by 3M.

ECO3 Warriors: Denise Filler, Toni Harvey, Justin Kunkel-Smith, Sara Anderson, Amanda Guerin.

“Every project that is completed is another step closer to helping the community and saving the environment,” said Amanda Guerin, site safety coordinator and an ECO3 Warrior. Of course, what companies are learning is that sustainability efforts, like those of Renewal’s ECO3 Warriors, save money as well.

This is the third year in a row Andersen has been awarded Energy Efficiency Partner. Many of the conservation efforts made to achieve this award are done behind the scenes and not easily seen by those not directly involved, according to Karen Rhodes, Xcel Energy efficiency marketing manager. Therefore these awards are a way to congratulate these businesses and help give recognition and bring awareness to their employees and customers for what’s happening behind the scenes.

Read the news release here.

Passion to transform the built environment for the betterment of society, profitability and the environment itself is what drives those involved with Greenbuild. Keynote Plenary speaker Thomas Friedman spoke of the resilience common to those passionate about the green movement. He made the connection between the distressed state of our environment and our global economy, stating we are practicing faulty accounting with both the Market and Mother Nature.

Thomas Friedman - Greenbuild 2011

 Friedman joked that those in the audience hadn’t gotten the word about these daunting issues facing us today. He said “Don’t get the word. Don’t ever give up!” In the spirit of Steve Jobs, Friedman pleaded, “Keep fighting the cause.” He concluded by stating it’s time the green movement stepped up to a green revolution, a time when the Green Building Council is known simply as the Building Council and its standards require the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.

Join conference attendees at the Opening Keynote and Celebration. Thomas Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and internationally renowned author, reporter, and columnist, will provide the keynote, then lend his expertise to USGBC’s Resiliency Agenda panel, taking place at the opening celebration on Oct. 5. The panel includes ABC commentator Cokie Roberts; The Right Honorable Kim Campbell, Canada’s 19th Prime Minister; and Dr. Paul Farmer, Chair, Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Following the panel discussion, Grammy award-winners, Maroon 5 will take the stage! The band has been a staple in the music scene since 2002, and is devoted to fighting climate change and living greener for just as long.

Many educational sessions are offered throughout the conference, fostering the opportunity for expansion and exchange of ideas. Stay tuned!

Steve Johnson, Code & Regulatory manager - Andersen Corp., Shawn Aherns, Senior Marketing manager - Andersen Corp., Doug Anderson, Energy Star Windows Program manager, Mark Mikkelson, Corporate Regulatory Affairs director - Andersen Corp., Mike Koenig, Corporate Sustainability manager - Andersen Corp.

The ENERGY STAR Windows Program is currently working on the next criteria change, likely to take effect in late 2013.  Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor criteria are among key changes being discussed between the industry and the EPA. The EPA expressed their desire to “push the limits of dual pane glazing” in the next phase of the Windows Program. This likely means a more stringent U-Factor and SHGC in all U.S. climate zones.

Andersen highlighted the importance of long term durability and return on investment (ROI) as additional components to be factored into the upcoming changes. Other anticipated program changes may include an air infiltration requirement and a ratings verification component – to ensure product performance matches labeled performance.

 Andersen Corporation supports and manufactures energy efficient, durable windows and doors and was the first window manufacturer to be named an ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999. Andersen was also named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2010 and 2011.

The Forest Products department has successfully educated and trained thousands of people including manufacturers and other professionals in the wood products industry. Their work positively influences home building and addresses strategies for improving environmental sustainability of the forest products industry.

The sponsored position continues this work with an eye towards the environmental life cycle of wood products and other sustainable building initiatives. The position seeks to capture product and market opportunities while educating future generations of industry professionals.

As defined by the University of Minnesota, “…a sustainable building is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner.” Nearly half of all green house gas (GHG) emissions are attributed to buildings. Therefore, improving the environmental footprint of building materials through research and education has the potential to improve overall building performance and substantially reduce their environmental impact. In this way, improved use of forest products in building materials can ultimately affect the economy, society and the environment.