Greenburgh's Efficient Suburbs

By Dan Shapley News Editor New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg grabbed deserved headlines last month when he announced a sweeping sustainability initiative. Meanwhile, one of the city's leafy suburbs has quietly been innovating for several years. Between White Plains and Yonkers in New York's Westchester County, the Town of Greenburgh (pop. 89,942) requires that all new homes be built to EnergyStar standards. EnergyStar standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. In general, they require homes to use effective insulation, install high-performance windows and use efficient heating and cooling equipment, lighting and appliances. What sets Greenburgh apart from other communities with strict building codes is that its law targets residential construction - not just commercial or government projects. It capitalizes on the local right to set building standards and elevates a homeowner's interest in long-term energy savings above a builder's interest in cutting short-term costs. "This is an innovative way of curbing emissions and reflects the need to consider the carbon footprint of the entire community," said Annie Strickler, communications director for ICLEI U.S.A., which works with communities to combat global warming. The law has been on the books since 2002, and Nicola Coddington, the town's part time Energy Conservation Coordinator, said other towns can now take the idea to the next level. The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) will publish new standards for residential construction this summer. "I would recommend that towns look at LEED for homes," she said, "because it covers not just energy efficiency but other issues that are important." More of May's Innovators A Waste-to-Ice Cream Initiative in Lancaster, Pa. A Zero-water Building In Little Rock, Ark. One Million Trees In Los Angeles April's Innovators A Local Food Web Site in Plymouth, N.H. The Eternal Sunshine of Solar Access in Boulder, Colo. The Green Roof Revolution in Chicago, Ill. Clean Mobility in the Twin Cities