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Sustainable Development Committee Focuses on Programs and Launches New Web SiteNAIOP Southern Nevada Chapter’s Sustainable Development Committee members are well entrenched in this year’s activities and programs. The tumultuous economy provides a viable opportunity for communities to migrate towards sustainable practices as rising construction and energy costs impact our buildings and structures. The largest committee in the chapter with its 60 plus members signifies a steady shift in people’s awareness towards our impacts on the planet and a growing interest in the green building movement. In addition, our committee offers resources to our membership in sustainable development related issues. The Education and Programs subcommittees have combined forces planning the remaining year with tours, speakers, webinars, and panels. The committee’s attention this year has been legislative and government affairs as it affects energy, water resources and sustainable buildings. The committee will host an education panel in early fall inviting key state senators to discuss the recent passing of several bills, and they will discuss opportunities for our membership resulting from the stimulus funds. The chapter is planning to host site tours of both Cashman Center and Solar One plant. These are scheduled for late fall. Additionally, the committee will work in conjunction with the chapter programs committee in hosting a breakfast panel of industry experts who will share their experiences with local green projects. The 2009 State Legislative Session has proven to be one of the most interesting and intense sessions for the chapter’s Government Affairs committee and the Sustainable Development Legislative subcommittee. Though overshadowed by the looming financial crisis, the 75th Session contained more than a few sustainable building related bills that affect NAIOP Southern Nevada members. On the Assembly side, Bill 522 passed into law providing abatements for renewable energy facilities. On the other side of Legislature Senate Bill 137 now requires that recycle containers be placed in apartments, condominiums and public buildings. Senate Bill 152 came to be known as the green jobs bill for its use of incentives from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create training programs in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy and building weatherization. In addition, SB 152 requires the State to establish projects to retrofit public buildings and conduct feasibility studies for alternative energy sources. Senate Bill 358 creates the new Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority along with the Nevada Energy Commissioner and its Trust Fund. Among a multitude of other items this law regulates several energy demonstration programs, educates the public on electronic disposal, requires sellers of buildings to provide an energy consumption evaluation and requires local governments to develop plans to retrofit public buildings to use renewable energy. Though no bills that are critically damaging to sustainability efforts made it through the gauntlet of politics, this year many other bill drafts that may have made positive contributions fell victim to the budget cuts of 2009. The new Sustainable Development Committee’s website is now online! The website offers a resource providing information on members, upcoming events, news and articles pertinent to sustainable development. Members are able to view the various activities with each sub-committee. Click here to view → The Community Service subcommittee will be participating with the committee members in a weekend of volunteer work for two Habitat for Humanity homes in Henderson that have implemented sustainable practices. The Sustainable Awareness subcommittee provided the chapter members with the new ‘Standard Office Practices (SOP) identifying ways for businesses to ‘green’ their offices. The subcommittee also continues to provide monthly green tips at the monthly chapter breakfast meetings. By: Miriam Campos Root, CCIM|LEED AP and Randy Barnes, AIA|LEED AP
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