Setting a Green Role Model

The following information comes from a May 1st press release . 

New York State’s First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer unveiled a plan today to transform the Governor’s Mansion into a “green” building.  Let’s take note of the many things that we can do following these suggestions even if we don’t have a big budget.  “Greening the Mansion” is an important new initiative that brings clean, efficient technologies to the NY Executive Mansion.  Serving as a model the residential greening initiative will help address global climate change, while lowering energy bills and fueling the innovation economy by supporting new industries born from the expanded use of clean power.

“Greening the Mansion” is part of Governor Eliot Spitzer’s broader clean energy plan to decrease the projected demand for electricity 15 percent by 2015 through increased energy efficiency and clean, renewable power production.  The plan looks to increase the supply of available energy for a growing state in an environmentally sustainable way.  The Governor’s “15 by 15” energy conservation goal is the most aggressive target in the nation.

Residential homes are responsible for 21% of greenhouse gas emissions and 22% of energy use in this country.  Buildings in general are responsible for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of energy use.  “Residential buildings are a major contributor to global warming,” said the First Lady.  “The Executive Mansion is a place of historic significance, which should be properly preserved.  Starting today, the mansion will also function as a sustainable building.  I am hopeful that this initiative will encourage others to pursue similar efforts with their own homes.  Together, every small step can reduce our overall impact on the environment.”  “Greening the Mansion” will cut its electrical energy consumption by 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half.  Highlights of the plan include:

• Clean, Renewable Energy.  Solar panels will be installed in three locations throughout the Executive Mansion’s property: the parking lot, a building canopy, and the roof of the pool-house.  The solar panels in the parking lot will serve as carports, providing shade and eventually enabling electric vehicles to re-charge.  A fuel cell system will power a back-up generator, replacing a diesel generator.

• Energy-Efficient Appliances and Equipment.  Energy efficient appliances will replace several existing appliances.  This process will begin today with the installation of an energy-efficient washing machine and dryer to replace old and inefficient models.  Low-flow showerheads will also be installed to reduce the use of water and many of the existing light bulbs throughout the mansion will be replaced with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Ecologically Sound Maintenance Practices.  The mansion is phasing in the use of non-toxic cleaning products, organic pest control, mulching lawnmowers that recycle grass clippings in place, extensive recycling, and composting. 

• Green Equipment.  The mansion staff will begin using hybrid electric vehicles.  Electric lawn mowers and lawn maintenance equipment will also be used to reduce gasoline emissions.  (Electric equipment can plug into the solar carport). 

• Local and Organic Food Policy.  The mansion has begun purchasing New York-grown, and preferably organic, produce to the greatest extent possible.  The mansion will also purchase from a local food co-op, and join a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which allows consumers to buy a share in a farm and receive fresh local organic produce when it is harvested.

The mansion qualifies for the New York Power Authority’s state program for energy improvements at state facilities, and will apply for additional funding under a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) program available to all electricity consumers in the state.  The project team does not expect to use any capital funds from the state budget for the project.  By decreasing its electrical energy consumption and pursuing additional “greening” methods, the mansion is attempting to meet green building standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council, referred to as LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  “Greening the Mansion” is just one aspect of the First Lady’s overall Green Buildings Initiative.  Since the Governor took office, she has visited green building sites throughout New York.  She plans to continue her work to promote green building initiatives for other state buildings and green affordable housing. 

The First Lady convened a “Greening the Mansion” Working Group in February 2007.  The group is composed of representatives from the New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Office of General Services and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as an architect from the Albany firm of Collins + Scoville Architects, PC.  The group studied the condition of the Governor’s Mansion to determine which green technologies made the most sense — financially, environmentally and economically.  Much of the green technology will not only cut energy costs and help the environment, but it will ultimately pay for itself in energy savings.

I’m especially thrilled that they will be purchasing food from co-ops and participating in a CSA.  In these actions we can find inspiration for our future as a co-op and for a healthier NJ.  Let’s encourage our First Family to follow Spitzer’s lead as well as taking a cue for our own homes and businesses.