Despite many media reports that have complained about a perceived lack of economic
impact attributable to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
funding, there seems to be a growing list of construction projects that reflect
measurable proof to the contrary.
One of these projects is taking shape in my own backyard. Beginning this August,
Brookhaven National Laboratory begins building a new $66.8-million energy research
facility here in Upton, Long Island. The project, funded by the Department of
Energy’s Office of Science, received $18.6 million in ARRA funding to help speed
the initial construction phase.
The new laboratory, which is designed to be highly energy efficient and sustainable,
will attempt to be rated gold by the LEED® building certification system. The
87,000-square-foot two-story Interdisciplinary Science Building will support
research to develop renewable energy via solar energy, biofuels and superconductivity.
Its construction is estimated to produce approximately 300 construction jobs
while pumping over $40 million into the local economy.
This is a prime example of our government’s investment in America’s
growing green energy economy.
Here’s more green good news…
- A July report released by REN21, or the Renewable Energy Policy Network
for the 21st Century, indicated that more than 50% of all new electricity
generation capacity added in 2009 by the U.S. and Europe was from renewable
power technologies including wind and solar. REN21, an energy support organization
backed by the United Nations and the International Energy Agency, said last
year was also a record year for the most new green energy that was added to
the power grid. It was notable that of the total 80 gigawatts of new renewable
global power capacity, 37 GW was added by China – more than any other country.
- Retailers continue to embrace the financial, performance and environmental
benefits of energy-efficient upgrades of both lighting and lighting controls.
In an article by Nick Hodge published July 21st, www.EnergyandCapital.com reported some
very impressive green results for retail giant Kohl’s. Hodge’s comments were
meant to dispel the lingering myth that going green is an expensive option.
Using Kohl’s commitment to energy efficiency and the retailer’s results, Hodge
makes a clear case for the economics of saving energy making some impressive
points:
-- Kohl’s reports to have saved $50 million by converting 500 stores
to Energy Star buildings;
-- Kohl’s is the second largest purchaser of renewable energy in the U.S. covering
100% of the company’s needs;
-- The company has 88 solar installations making it the biggest retail user
of solar in North America;
-- It’s built 45 LEED certified green buildings and has committed to constructing
future facilities as LEED buildings;
-- All stores have been retrofitted with building automation controls systems,
with all 75W incandescent lamps replaced with 24W metal halide lamps.
As impressive as all those green actions are, Hodge points out repeatedly that
in every case Kohl’s has saved money. To make his point, Hodge asks, “If clean
options are so expensive and job-killing and GDP damning and economy-crushing…
Why has a retail chain with a $14 billion market cap that has to answer to shareholders
thoroughly embraced it?”
Hodge’s punch line about the value of going green makes total sense.
“Because as it turns out, it’s not expensive,” he says. “It actually reduces
operating costs and creates an economic edge over the completion.”