City Council Passes Green Building Legislation City Council voted unanimously to pass Bill No. 080025, green building legislation introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. The bill requires large city-controlled construction projects that are primarily funded by city capital dollars to meet LEED-silver requirements. To emphasize energy efficiency, the bill requires that projects be designed and constructed to use at least 20% less energy than basic structures. The bill applies to capital projects undertaken by all departments and agencies across the city, including the airport. This piece of legislation furthers the Next Great City recommendation that Philadelphia build energy-efficient, healthy city and school-district facilities. Next Great City testified before Council’s Committee on the Environment in support of the bill because it exemplifies the long-term vision that Philadelphia needs to make us the next great city with a sustainable future. We applaud City Council for taking this important step. Greenworks Incorporates Next Great City RecommendationGreenworks, Philadelphia's sustainability framework, incorporates Next Great City's energy recommendation in “Target 4: Purchase and Generate 20 percent of Electricity Used in Philadelphia from Alternative Energy Sources” and nods to NGC Green Building recommendation by calling for energy efficiency building guidelinesLet the Sun ShineGovernor Ed Rendell declares that the PA Sunshine rebate program is ready for applicants. The program offers rebates of up to 35 percent to home owners and small businesses looking to offset the cost of buying and installing solar-energy systems. Green Tax Abatements?Councilman Jones proposes graduated tax abatements based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Jones' bill would grant tax breaks ranging from 10 percent to 100 percent for buildings that are LEED certified. City Makes Renewable Energy Purchase On April 15, 2007, Mayor John F. Street signed a contract with PECO Wind to purchase 8,500 megawatt hours, or abut 4% of the city's energy use, from wind power. While it's not the full 5% purchase the Next Great City report recommended, the City plans to purchase more, reaching 5% by 2010. By committing to renewable energy, the City of Philadelphia will reduce its heat-trapping gas emissions by approximately 4,250 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, comparable to planting 1.6 million trees or not driving 20 million miles every year. Nationally ranked as the third worst city in the country to live for people with asthma by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, this action will have a significant impact on improving air quality in the region. Green Buildings On January 24, 2008, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown re-introduced legislation that would require that "any contract for the construction, extension or major renovation of certain buildings, paid for with public funds, contain a provision requiring the contractor to certify that a certain level in energy and design efficiency will be achieved, in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System, or that equivalent standards will be met, requiring LEED certified professionals, and by providing for penalties, all under certain terms and conditions." The Next Great City coalition will continue to track and respond to this legislation and any other similar efforts. Solar Plant Coming to South Philadelphia On April 29, 2008 Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Secretary Kathleen McGinty of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, announced that Exelon Generation Co., a unit of Exelon Corp. in Chicago, has joined forces with Epuron LLC to build, operate and sell energy from a solar power plant in South Philadelphia. The 1-1.4 megawatt facility will be built on 6 to 8 acres of brownfields and will contain between 6,000 and 8,000 solar panels- enough to power about 200 homes a year. Recent News
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