Toward a Sustainable Dallas

The purpose of the October 2007 report entitled “Toward a Sustainable Dallas” (TASD) strikes so many important chords. The report is based on information accumulated by the City Council after its January 2003 commitment to green construction and LEED® certification.The Council’s report has four stated purposes:

•    Demonstrate the environmental impact of buildings and the benefits of green building.

•    Provide recommendations for implementation of a green building program for all residential and non-residential construction in the City of Dallas

The comprehensive plan states much relevant information.

•    300 billion square feet of buildings in the US are the single largest contributor to global warming in the country
•    48% of all energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the US annually is from buildings
•    76% of all power plant generated electricity is used to operate buildings globally.
•    At the current rate of usage, the US is projected to need 1,300 to 1,900 new power plants over the next 20 years or 1 per week.

The last statistic is glaringly unrealistic, but highlights the severity of the dilemma.  So, Texans and all Americans need to change their energy consumption habits.  This is just one of the reasons the US Green Building Council developed its benchmark Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification program.  The Dallas City Council recognized the program’s merits back in January 2003 and made a more pronounced commitment with the 2007 report.

Not only are the LEED® certifications taking on energy efficiency, they help to assure employees of a healthy work environment.  Recently, not only public projects but also private developers have begun to realize the value of LEED® certification.  The program has expanded so much that now LEED® certifications carry value rewards because employees want to work in LEED® certified properties.

Both new and existing buildings can apply for LEED® certification.  The process is a win-win-win scenario whereby the building, the employees and the environment benefit.

Tagged as: Dallas, efficient, green, sustainable