I am fully aware of energy-wasting practices in dwelling-construction. But, to read this article in the NYT, brings to mind the pernicious influence of the eco-leftist radical Democrats and the vegans on their coattails, campaigning for the recreational use of marijuana.
1
Would DCs total have anything to do with the Feds?
2
Inquiring minds want to know why there’s a difference in LEEDS certified building by state. More government buildings, or private development? Government incentives?
3
LEED square feet per capita? That's a completely backwards measurement. It's like measuring reusable shopping bag production per capita: if you score high, you're probably just throwing away a lot of bags. The goal is to waste less, not produce more.
A large LEED certified building may take more energy to heat than a small but less efficient building. It also takes more resources to build, and construction is a significant portion of a building's carbon footprint, especially if the building only lasts a few decades.
The right measure should simply be per capita carbon footprint. That rewards smaller spaces being used for many decades, with energy efficient upgrades.
10
As a home designer and as a builder I find the whole LEED thing to be silly. What is now being built is the equivalent of a self sustained biosphere, not unlike a shopping mall. Homes are being built way to tight and with no natural air exchanges, exception being with a closed loop system. Roof and walls (the bones) should have a continuous flow off air, which is impossible with foam filled systems. Rain screening, which is done correctly in Switzerland and Germany is a very good system to allow air flow between the siding and the wall frames. Foam filled roofing systems and structural insulated panels are a very big NO and lead to sick houses, mold and mildew.
Some of the very best green homes were done in the 1930's thru 1950's by Frank Lloyd Wright. Small footprint and sited to take advantage of lighting and cooling requirements.
Tho I would surmise that the same thought process that leads us to "green homes" never considers the smoke bleaching plant that electrifies the Prius on the other end..........
10
This ignores an important, real-world alternative certification in the Northwest: EarthAdvantage.
3
Yes, it's LEED certified, but this is essentially a list of states doing the most construction per capita, which is the exact opposite of green.
Which states are doing the most adaptive reuse projects per capita?
16
Wow! At least there's one red state in that list...though with closer research we'll probably find that all 88M sq feet is in Austin!
3
@Rich
Nice sarcasm, actually there is a great deal of LEED certification in Houston and any other city you go to in Texas.
3