City launches ten green building initiatives in 2010

Posted: April 19, 2010 9:48:00 AM PDT

The City of Bellingham and Sustainable Connections have collaborated on a set of ten tasks to be accomplished in 2010 to support and encourage green building. The Ten In '10 initiative is part of the City of Bellingham's ongoing commitment to streamline permitting and support projects that conserve resources and minimize impact to the environment.

"After last year's successful development of five incentives for green building in 12 months (the "FIVE/12" program), the City's Planning and Community Development Green Team staff and Sustainable Connections have identified a number of tasks to be incorporated into the Green Team Strategic Plan for 2010," explained Tim Stewart, Planning & Community Development Department Director.

This collaborative effort is called the Ten in '10 Initiative, and includes the following items:

Green Building "Bin-Bump-Up" Pilot - an expedited permit review program for documented green projects, including a Green Permit Review Team;
Construction Waste Recycling Pilot - development of policies to reduce contruction and demolition debris entering the waste stream;
Green Code Adoption - adoption of standards set forth in the International Green Building Code to reduce existing code barries to green building techniques;
Transportation Mode Shift Incentive - reduction in transportation impact fees for performance measures that are proven to reduce on-site trip generation, such as location on Whatcom Transportation Authority Go-Lines;
Subject-To-Field-Inspection Permits- initially designed as a quick review system for energy efficiency upgrades, this program has been expanded to include a wide range of simple building permits;
Sustainable Water Management Program - creation of rules and polices encouraging grey water and rain water harvesting where appropriate;
Green Roof Initiative- grant-funded case study of the effectiveness of the green roof on the Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher Building and opportunities for streamlined adoption of green roofs throughout Bellingham;
Compilation of public and private utility incentives- a single source of comprehensive information on energy conservation;
Staff training for review and inspections of green building methods; and
Advanced Materials and Methods (AMM) - clear guidance and requirements for advanced green building techniques (i.e. solar water heaters, porous concrete and composting toilets).

For more information, contact Nicole Oliver, Communication Coordinator, at 778-8353, noliver@cob.org, or Nick Hartrich, Green Building and Smart Growth Program Manager for Sustainable Connections, 647-7093 X107, nick@sconnect.org or visit Sustainable Connection's website at www.sustainableconnections.org .

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Media Contact:
Nicole Oliver, Communications Coordinator
Planning & Community Development
360.778-8353
noliver@cob.org