To build green or not build green

Times Contributor

 

Wheatland County council voted not to proceed with a solar energy plan for the expansion of the administrative office that on completion would cost $230,000. When installed it would have made returns on that investment in about 20 years.

“In 2012, there was a request from council that we look at a couple options on alternative energy supply,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Alan Parkin. “We can indicate it in the plans now, or move it forward for the future, but right now we don’t feel it is needed.”

Parkin said staff may be able to apply for grants that would cover more of the costs. Reeve Glenn Koester suggested if they waited for grant approval, it may never get purchased. Councillor Alice Booth agreed and suggested the grants be applied for now because completed projects sometimes don’t qualify for grants.

“When we are looking at alternative energy, we need to be leaders in this. I think the addition is a good opportunity to do this,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “It is the way of the future.”

They also voted down, excluding Councillor Rex Harwood, a request for decision on the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Silver project study. One concern was that it was not something that could be added at a later date.

The total project would cost $148,200, with the study costing $33,400 and certification registration at $4,800. Only $16,700 could be recouped through grants. The project pay-off was estimated at 12 years.

“We are not recommending this due to the estimated payback rate. It is a fairly small component of the project we are doing,” said Parkin, but qualified the decision was up to council.

Council discussed the idea and the point that a third of the money was just for the study and certification.

“I don’t think we should be spending $148,000 on this. The other part of the building isn’t up to standard and might disqualify us. We can use this money in other areas. I feel our contractors should be doing this anyway,” said Booth.

Parkin said the contractors could build using LEED guidelines; however, practically they tend to use the cheapest products available. There were also questions about maintenance. Specific products would have to be used on an ongoing basis to retain certification.

The LEED certification process for design teams is made up of two consecutive applications: one including design credits, and one including construction credits. All of the LEED credits in each rating system are assigned to either the design application or the construction application. The design credits include those of the architect and the engineer, and are documented in the official construction drawings. The construction credits include those that are predominantly implemented by the contractor, and are documented during the construction and commissioning of the building. A fee is required to register the building, and to submit the design and construction applications. Total fees are assessed based on building area.

LEED certified buildings are intended to use resources more efficiently, when compared to conventional buildings simply built to code. However, analysis of energy and water use data from a New York City study shows that LEED certification does not necessarily make a building more energy or water efficient.