On Wednesday, September 17, GreenHomeNYC held its monthly Green Building forum at the Steelcase showroom, overlooking Central Park from the southwest corner of Columbus Circle. We were fortunate enough to host four excellent panelists to speak on the topic of "Legislative and Policy Initiatives to Promote Green Buildings in NYC." The audience topped 60 attendees and ranged from architects, policy makers, environmental advocates, and building owners and tenants.

The panelists:

• Ashok Gupta
  Air & Energy Program Director
  Natural Resources Defense Council
• Mark Caserta
  NYC Policy & Advocacy Director/ Waterfront Park Coalition Director
  NYLCV/NYLCV Education Fund
• Patty Noonan
  Vice President, Research & Policy
  Partnership for New York City
• Russell Unger
  counsel to Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Committee
  New York City Council

The speakers gave a general background on the current incentives and policies that currently exist for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and more general green building practices (which also include material use, indoor air quality issues, and water efficiency). One important point that surfaced early on was the distinction between policy making for the commercial sector vs public sector. Requiring or encouraging green building practices of the City's own buildings is one thing-mandating or encouraging the adoption of building practices of the private sector is quite another. The discussion touched on both points.

In terms of providing incentives for the private sector, it was recognized that NYSERDA (the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), was among the most progressive in the country, and that the money it provided was consistently being put to use. For more on these programs, including the relevant the New Construction program, the Smart Equipment Choices program, the Peak Load Reduction program, and the Energy Smart Loan program, see the NYSERDA webpage. The first of its king Green Building tax credit, also offered on the state level was also mentioned.

In terms of the latitude that the city has for promoting green buildings in the private sector, there were two or two main avenues it could take: property tax abatement and easing of zoning restrictions, both in terms of height (i.e. exchange allowable height for green building measures), or allowing for a certain kind of development where the zoning would otherwise forbid (e.g. residential development in areas zoned for commercial/industrial).

The speakers also discussed the importance of local development entities such as the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and the Battery Park City Authority, which can set either voluntary or mandatory guidelines for new building construction, and short of a city-wide policy-affect the largest changes in the design and construction of buildings. They also stressed the importance of local community organization, which can set guidelines for building practices, which, although may not binding, can end up having a significant effect on the development that ensues. This last point created a sense of optimism for the tenants in the room, as it gave them a sense of possible to make the types of changes they might otherwise not have an avenue to pursue.

GreenHomeNYC would like to thank Steelcase for providing the space and the refreshments, and the four speakers and attendees who together made for an excellent and information-rich discussion.

And as always, if you have Green Building questions, or want advice on implementing a project, please contact GreenHomeNYC . we're here to help.