opinion

Green buildings play key role in Iowa's energy future

Gov. Kim Reynolds traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this summer to give a presentation on Iowa’s role as a leader in energy innovation. Iowa is a rising energy star, thanks in part to Gov. Reynolds’ leadership, and it was a wonderful opportunity to show off our ingenuity and our dedication to cultivating a rich and diversified energy portfolio.

A big part of that portfolio is the greening of Iowa’s building environment, and those of us involved in green building are very excited about the future of our industry. When she was lieutenant governor, Reynolds chaired the committee behind the Iowa Energy Plan, which focuses on Iowa’s economic potential in the energy sector. One of the key pillars of the plan, which was finalized and adopted last fall, focuses on energy efficiency and conservation — or as the report calls it, a “least-cost resource,” meaning that energy efficiency is the single most cost effective tool in an energy portfolio.

Indeed, green buildings make economic sense — just ask the University of Iowa, which requires a minimum standard of LEED Silver certification for new construction and major renovations, or West Des Moines-based Kum & Go, which has more than 100 LEED-certified stores. In addition to lowering CO2 emissions by 34 percent, LEED buildings consume 25 percent less energy and 11 percent less water. That translates to big savings in energy costs. LEED-certified buildings are estimated to generate as much as $1.2 billion in energy savings from 2015-2018, $149.5 million in water savings, $715.3 million in maintenance savings, and $54.2 million in waste savings in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the economic impact provided by green building — along with its potential for growth — is staggering. Green construction is expected to generate 152,000 jobs for Iowans from 2015 to 2018, and provide more than $8 billion in labor earnings. The industry is anticipated to contribute nearly $13 billion to the state’s GDP over that time frame. These are rugged, good-paying jobs that will help us increase our energy independence while growing Iowa’s economy.

Green buildings provide other benefits as well. They optimize health, by allowing in clean air and natural light while keeping out harmful chemicals. They make properties more valuable, with an average expected increase in value of 4 percent. They even make for happier employees and occupants — LEED-certified buildings are demonstrating increased recruitment rates and increased productivity benefits for employers.

Iowans know the benefits of green building. As the Iowa Energy Plan notes, a stunning 97 percent of state residents support the deployment of energy-efficiency activities.

Now that Iowa has dedicated itself to a clean energy future, the green building industry is looking forward to working with Gov. Reynolds’ administration and alongside businesses, municipalities, universities, nonprofits and more to put the plan into action. By strengthening our position as a green building leader, Iowa and its workers will reap significant economic benefits.

BRUCE HAMOUS is a senior architect and studio group leader at Shive-Hattery and co-chair of the U.S. Green Building Council Iowa Market Leadership Advisory Board