Legislature should promote green building standards

As an architect, I’ve seen firsthand that making smart energy efficiency decisions can go hand in hand with a thriving business.

As awareness about global warming has increased, our business at Zervas Group Architects has seen corresponding growth in demand for green buildings and energy efficiency from our customers. There’s a new feeling of possibility when it comes to facing the problems of climate change, but we need action from our elected officials to shift this momentum into the next gear.

Right now the state legislature is considering a bill called Climate Action and Green Jobs, which would set a timeline to reach our global-warming pollution-reduction goals and create the first statewide green-collar job training fund in the nation. By taking action on these issues now, our state can influence regional and national decisions. We also signal that we in Washington are willing and ready to lead in a new green economy.

This is a deeply personal issue for me. I’ve been engaged in clean energy and sustainability issues since graduating from college in 1975 and my work is focusing more and more on green design. For instance, last year, Zervas Group Architects designed the Whatcom Educational Credit Union Loan Center to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Standards — the first building in Whatcom County to achieve that rating. All our projects are built to exceed energy efficiency standards; our conviction is that this is the responsible course of action and it aligns with our customers’ desire for smart, efficient buildings.

The more I learn, the more I’m convinced that a sensible, but strong, approach to global-warming pollution reduction goes hand in hand with a strong green jobs program.

Without skilled workers to make our buildings more efficient, build and service our wind turbines and photovoltaic (solar) collectors, and grow crops for alternative fuel sources, it will be impossible to reach our pollution-reduction goals. Without state action to set and enforce limits to our global-warming pollution, showing Washington is serious about building a strong green economy, we will not have the kick start we need to move our clean energy economy into higher gear.

Thanks to some key individuals, including Bellingham Rep. Kelli Linville, a member of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s Climate Advisory Team, our state legislators have a choice: Washington state can lead the nation and benefit or follow and lag behind. By taking action now, our elected representatives can show us they’re serious about both facing the challenge of climate change and strengthening Washington’s economy by helping to train workers for good, green jobs.