GreenClips.165 04.11.01 WHICH IS GREENER: LEASING OR BUYING? Does leasing goods provide environmental benefits over buying? One school of green thought has suggested the answer is yes. The reason: Because goods don't change hands in a lease, the lessor retains ownership of, and responsibility for, the merchandise at the lease's end. That increases the likelihood that used goods will be turned into assets through refurbishing, recycling, or other means. But leasing isn't always the greener choice, according to "Leasing: A Step Toward Producer Responsibility," a recent report from INFORM, the New York-based research group. Whether leasing enhances environmental responsibility depends on a range of factors. The report's key findings include these four points: (1) Only operating leases, not capital leases, increase the likelihood a manufacturer will retain ownership of the product and have responsibility for managing it. (2) Even with operating leases, there is significant leakage in the ownership/responsibility loop depending on who leases a product and how it is handled. (3) Manufacturer ownership and responsibility create incentives to increase reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. (4) Operating leases can extend the useful life of the product even if it does not revert to the manufacturer at end of life. Download INFORM's report for free at http://www.informinc.org/leasingbook.htm. The Green Business Letter, Apr 01, p 6. CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT BRINGS OUT SKEPTICS The Foundation for the Built Environment (FBE) report "Potential Implications of Climate Change in the Built Environment" is intended to help the UK construction and finance industries to consider the impacts of climate change on their business and the UK economy. The report suggests that planning and design can help avoid problems predicted to result from climate change, including floods, coastal erosion and wind damage. FBE's suggestions include: requiring foundations for new residential buildings to be deeper than they are currently; designing roofs, gutters and local infrastructure to cope with more rain; and providing good natural ventilation in response to rising temperatures. But not everyone agrees with the report's climate change scenarios, which are derived from mathematical models based on assumptions about many complex and interconnected factors. According to global warming skeptic Professor Philip Stott of the University of London: "Computer models present various 'stories' or scenarios and people should not see them as outcomes that are bound to happen." Although there is no consensus on the question of how much the Earth will warm this century, some recommendations made by the FBE not to build on flood plains or on areas vulnerable to erosion may make sense. But much of the report reads more like a doom-mongering prophecy than a discerning aid to architects. Report available from CRC: crc@construct.emap.co.uk. The Architects' Journal, 8 Mar 01, p 44, by Helene Guldberg. [Full text: Go to Archive at http://www.ajplus.co.uk] CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES GALVANIZED TO CUT POWER The California Public Utilities Commission's decision to raise electricity rates as much as 46 percent may galvanize businesses to become more energy-efficient. Analysts expect many companies to try to reach the 20 percent reduction in consumption that would make them eligible for a state-mandated 20 percent rebate on their summer electric bills. What's more, various state and utility incentive programs will pay part of the cost of becoming an energy-efficient business. There is no central clearinghouse for energy rebates and incentives, so businesses should call their local utilities and the California Energy Commission to check on financial support. The Energy Commission recently granted Kmart Corp. $2 million toward the $10-million cost of a lighting retrofit project at 85 Big Kmart stores throughout California. Neutrogena Corp. plans to move 200 kilowatts of consumption offline by installing a large solar array at its headquarters and research and development complex in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will pay $1 million of that $1.4-million project. And the Energy Commission will pay 5 to 15 cents per square foot to companies that install a reflective roof. "Cool surfaces don't cost any more, but you save about 20 percent on air-conditioning costs annually," says Ray Darby, who heads the Energy Commission's program to replace dark roofs. Los Angeles Times, 28 March 01, by Jerry Hirsch. [More: http://www.energy.ca.gov/index.html] TAX BREAK LIKELY FOR MARYLAND'S GREEN BUILDINGS Developers of "green" buildings could receive tax benefits for their energy efficiency efforts under legislation passed this month by the Maryland Senate. The legislation, already passed by the House of Delegates, is expected to be approved as soon as the two chambers can reconcile their different versions of the bill. Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening is expected to sign the measure. The bill offers tax credits to encourage developers who incorporate conservation features in new and rehabilitated buildings -- both commercial and residential. To qualify, buildings have to save 35 percent more energy than required under the most stringent codes in effect. Among the features that qualify for credits are on-site facilities to power buildings with solar energy, wind or fuel cells. The Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr 01, by Michael Dresser. COMING SOON: NEW MASTERS PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABILITY The School of the Built Environment at UK's University of Westminster will launch a masters degree in sustainable development this year. The interdisciplinary program, which focuses on new urban development, may be of particular interest to architects and to property developers anxious to avoid future taxation on non-sustainable development. Program director Chris Marsh notes that the UK has other sustainability programs but they tend to have a more ecological or political slant. The Westminster masters degree is the only program of its kind offered by a built environment school that is multidisciplinary and "designed to cultivate a broader base of thinking." . The Architects' Journal, 15 March 01, p 20. [More: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/item.asp?ID=4495&varWhatPage=pgs] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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