Incremental Cost of Efficient Construction Well Under $1,000 Per Home

Washington, D.C., November 18, 2010 – The average incremental cost of constructing a new home to meet the current energy efficiency building code – the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – comes to a mere $818.72, according to a recent study by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports code adoption and implementation.

Moreover, a homeowner will recoup those extra dollars in less than three and a half years, thanks to the annual energy savings of $243.37 per home – or even more quickly if the additional $818.72 is amortized over the life of a 30-year mortgage.

That scenario considerably shortens the payback period. For instance, in the state of Kentucky, the payback period is only seven months. In that state, a home built to the new code increases a 20 percent down payment by a modest $154.78 and the monthly mortgage payment by a negligible $3.01, BCAP found. With a 10 percent down payment, the extra up-front investment is made up in only four months, due to lower home energy bills.

BCAP based these calculations on the national average new home price of $267,451 for a 2,400-square foot home and a 4.14 percent mortgage interest rate. State-specific labor and product costs were also used so the study would mirror actual construction pricing as closely as possible.

When a home is built to conform to the 2009 IECC – which BCAP describes as a minimum but meaningful baseline for energy efficiency – home buyers get energy-efficient lighting and windows, a higher grade of insulation and HVAC duct sealing and testing.

“Throughout our research, we made sure to use real-world construction cost data and always tried to be as conservative as possible with our methodology,” noted BCAP Executive Director Aleisha Khan. “For example, even though many states already require duct testing, we added in $350 to the up-front cost of the energy-efficient home, because we know that in some states it doesn’t actually happen.

Khan continued, “A home is usually an individual or family’s biggest lifetime investment, so it makes sense to protect and maximize the value of that investment by building in energy efficiency from the ground up – and reaping the benefits of lower energy bills from day one.

“And while homeowners can always improve their homes’ energy efficiency, it’s far more cost-effective to upgrade building components during construction, rather than make costly and inconvenient retrofits later on,” she concluded.

The complete incremental cost analysis can be found on BCAP’s best practice network – the O.C.E.A.N. website — at http://bcap-ocean.org/incremental-cost-analysis.

Office of Advocacy
U.S. Small Business Administration

NEWSRELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Winslow Sargeant, SBA’s Chief Counsel for Advocacy called for a repeal of the burdensome expanded Form 1099 reporting requirement for small business. Testifying before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, Sargeant endorsed the recently introduced “Small Business Paperwork Relief Act” and commended Senators Baucus and Landrieu for its introduction. The hearing focused on reducing the regulatory and administrative burdens on America’s small businesses.

“The Form 1099 requirement will greatly increase the reporting and recordkeeping burdens on small businesses,” said Sargeant. “We’ve heard strong opposition from small business about the new 1099 requirement, and the message we heard was repeal. I endorse repeal and I commend Senator Baucus and Senator Landrieu on introducing legislation that will remove this burden on American small business.”

Unless the requirements is repealed beginning in 2012, all companies will have to issue Forms 1099 to any individual or corporation from which they buy more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. The expanded reporting requirement would result in a greater paperwork burden as small businesses would see an increase in the number of Forms 1099 that they are required to file.

At the hearing, Sargeant referenced data from Advocacy’s recently released study The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms. He indicated that firms with fewer than 20 employees pay $10,585 per employee on average to comply with federal regulations. “The regulatory burden is 36% greater on small firms than on their large counterparts. In addition the cost to small businesses of tax compliance is over 300 percent greater per employee than the cost to large companies.”

Sargeant has been aggressively advocating for small business since being sworn in as Chief Counsel for Advocacy. In addition to Form 1099, he has been active on a number of issues involving the environment, transportation, labor, safety and health and tax.

Release date: 11/16/2010  Thanks to Curt @ CWA Consulting Services, LLC

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified a list of 134 chemicals that will be screened for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interact with and possibly disrupt the hormones produced or secreted by the human or animal endocrine system, which regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made it a top priority to ensure the safety of chemicals, and this is another step in this process.

“Endocrine disruptors represent a serious health concern for the American people, especially children. Americans today are exposed to more chemicals in our products, our environment and our bodies than ever before, and it is essential that EPA takes every step to gather information and prevent risks,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We are using the best available science to examine a larger list of chemicals and ensure that they are not contaminating the water we drink and exposing adults and children to potential harm.”

The list includes chemicals that have been identified as priorities under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and may be found in sources of drinking water where a substantial number of people may be exposed. The list also includes pesticide active ingredients that are being evaluated under EPA’s registration review program to ensure they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. The data generated from the screens will provide robust and systematic scientific information to help EPA identify whether additional testing is necessary, or whether other steps are necessary to address potential endocrine disrupting chemicals.

The chemicals listed include those used in products such as solvents, gasoline, plastics, personal care products, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, including benzene, perchlorate, urethane, ethylene glycol, and erythromycin.

Also being announced today are draft policies and procedures that EPA will follow to order testing, minimize duplicative testing, promote equitable cost-sharing, and to address issues that are unique to chemicals regulated under the SDWA.

After public comment and review, EPA will issue test orders to pesticide registrants and the manufacturers of these chemicals to compel them to generate data to determine whether their chemicals may disrupt the estrogen, androgen and thyroid pathways of the endocrine system.

EPA is already screening an initial group of 67 pesticide chemicals. In October 2009, the agency issued orders to companies requiring endocrine disruptor screening program data for these chemicals. EPA will begin issuing orders for this second group of 134 chemicals beginning in 2011.

EPA has the most comprehensive mandated testing program for hormone effects in the world. The program is the result of a multi-year effort that includes validation of the science through a transparent scientific review process.

Addendum for the Second List of Chemicals; Tier 1 Screening of Certain Chemicals Under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)] [Pages 70248-70254]

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request an addendum to an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This addendum simply covers the burden for a new list of chemicals to receive and respond to EDSP Orders. The activities articulated in the original ICR are not changing. This ICR addendum, entitled “Addendum for the Second List of Chemicals; Tier 1 Screening of Certain Chemicals Under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP)” and identified by EPA ICR No. 2249.02 and OMB Control No. 2070-0106. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 18, 2011.

Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program; Draft Policies and Procedures for Screening Safe Drinking Water Act Chemicals, Second List of Chemicals for Tier 1 Screening, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Addendum for the Second List of Chemicals; Tier 1 Screening of Certain Chemicals
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)] [Pages 70558-70568]

This document describes EPA’s draft policies and procedures for requiring Tier 1 screening under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) of substances for which EPA may issue testing orders pursuant to section 1457 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and section 408(p) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). FFDCA section 408(p) directed EPA to develop a chemical screening program using appropriate validated test systems and other scientifically relevant information to determine whether certain substances may have hormonal effects. These draft policies and procedures are intended to supplement the existing EDSP policies and procedures that were published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2009 (74 FR 17560); however, this document was drafted with the intent of explaining the policies and procedures relevant to EDSP Safe Drinking Water Act chemicals. DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 18, 2011.

Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) is dedicated to creating a cleaner, more beautiful region through education and active community involvement. KTMB’s current programs include: Adopt-A-Spot, Adopt-A-Park, Christmas Tree Recycling, Phone Book Recycling, neighborhood and open space cleanups, educational paper making workshops and the “Trash Lady^TM“, now known as “Waste Warriors.” For more information on how you can get involved e-mail deidre@ktmb.org

TMB_Winter_Newsletter

Proclamation, new task force focus on electronic waste

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, on America Recycles Day, President Obama signed a proclamation celebrating the strides the country has made in recycling generally, while also highlighting the need for greater attention to addressing electronic waste (e-waste).  Last week, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the General Services Administration (GSA) formed a task force, under the Executive Order on Federal Sustainability, charged with helping the federal government lead by example in responsibly managing used electronics.

Electronic waste from old cell phones, computers and other devices often contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals.  Most of this waste is landfilled, which creates potential health and environmental hazards throughout the U.S., and a significant part of the rest is shipped to developing countries that lack the capacity to manage these wastes safely, threatening the health and environment of those communities.  Reusing and recycling e-waste reduces the risks from these hazards and also provides opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint and conserve valuable natural resources.

“Used electronics represent the fastest growing segment of local solid waste in our country. Far too many used electronics end up in landfills or are exported to nations where there is little capacity for safe management.  Rather than benefitting from the reuse and recycling of valuable components, we see increased exposure to the toxic chemicals and other harmful substances in electronic devices,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “EPA has made the handling of used electronics and e-waste one of our top priorities, and through this task force the U.S. can become the world leader in sustainable electronics management.  There are cost-effective and potentially profitable methods to better manage these materials and prevent health and environmental threats at home and around the world.”

“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that its own waste is properly managed and recycled,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Identifying opportunities to reuse the valuable resources contained in most disposed electronic devices is an important part of our obligation to protect human health and the environment.”

“Already one of the largest consumers of electronics, we plan to make the federal government the most responsible,” said GSA Administrator Martha Johnson.  “Not only will we reduce the federal government’s footprint, we will model behavior for private consumers and use our position in the marketplace to drive the development of sustainable electronics and recycling solutions.”

The interagency task force, co-chaired by EPA, GSA, and CEQ, will develop a national strategy for responsible electronics stewardship, including improvements to federal procedures for managing electronic products. This strategy will also include steps to ensure electronics containing hazardous materials collected for recycling and disposal are not exported to developing nations that lack the capacity to manage the recovery and disposal of these products in ways that safeguard human health and the environment.

On October 11, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson visited the town of Guiyu in Guandong Province, China.  Guiyu is noteworthy for its large electronic waste recycling industry.  Administrator Jackson saw firsthand some of the approaches being used to recycle and reuse discarded electronics and appliances and discussed remaining challenges and opportunities for collaboration.

Reusing or recycling electronics helps the environment by reducing our carbon footprint and conserving resources.  Electronic equipment contains valuable materials, such as precious metals and rare earth minerals, which can be recycled.  Recycling these components conserves materials, prevents air and water pollution, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that occur during extraction, manufacturing and processing.  For example, for every 1 million cell phones recycled, 75 pounds of gold, 772 pounds of silver, 33 pounds of palladium, and more than 35,000 pounds of copper can be recovered.

Electronics and other products are usually created from raw materials that are extracted from the Earth, transported and processed, distributed, consumed, reused or recycled, and ultimately disposed.  Each of these stages creates impacts on the environment, which are unsustainable with limited natural resources.  By making smarter choices, consuming less, and reusing and recycling, everyone can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment.  Also, by promoting responsible electronics stewardship,    green jobs can be created and a vibrant American reuse, recycling and refurbishing industry can be built. 

The presidential proclamation is a time to think about creating a sustainable environment by being responsible consumers.  By reusing, recycling, and being smarter in the amounts and types of materials used, people can save energy, conserve fewer natural resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The president’s proclamation: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/2010recycles.prc.rel.pdf

Can you help us get to a quarter of a million viewers by Black Friday?

Today the new Story of Electronics film was released – an short, engaging look at why we are burning through THREE MILLION TONS of electronics every year in the U.S. – and sending most of it to the landfill.

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition partnered with Annie Leonard and the Story of Stuff team in making this film, which challenges the  ‘design for the dump’ mentality so prevalent in the electronics industry.  

And it’s not just the mountain of e-waste that’s cause for concern. It’s the impact of the whole lifecycle of electronics that’s alarming. Making all these devices takes an enormous environmental and public health toll. Mining the metals trashes communities around the globe. Assembling them uses huge amounts of water and energy and exposes workers to a host of toxic chemicals. And getting rid of them means e-waste in the trash, or e-waste exported to and dumped on developing nations.

But we know the electronics industry can do better.

We released the Story of Electronics to send a clear message to the electronics industry:  it’s time to send that design for the dump mentality to the dump where it belongs and start making less toxic, longer lasting and more easily recyclable products.

Our goal is to get a quarter of a million people to watch The Story of Electronics by Black Friday, just over two weeks from now.  You can help us reach this goal by:
• Watching The Story of Electronics;
• Sharing the movie with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, fellow students and anyone else you think might be interested;
• Reading Annie’s Huffington Post piece about the movie, and then commenting on it, liking it or sharing it.

Please let us know what you think of the film on our facebook page.

Thanks!

Washington, D.C., November 9, 2010 – The Alliance to Save Energy today applauded Vice President Biden’s announcement of a three-pronged federal initiative designed to create green jobs in the home improvement field while helping U.S. homeowners save money through energy efficiency.

The two-year pilot program is designed to overcome several barriers that have hindered development of a strong home energy retrofit market: lack of information about a home’s energy use and the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades; uncertainty about the qualifications of workers in the home energy field; and lack of financing for sometimes costly energy efficiency measures.

Under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Energy Score pilot program, homeowners will be able to get straightforward, reliable information about their home’s energy use.

Trained and certified contractors will use a standardized assessment tool developed by DOE and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to score a home’s energy use on a scale of 1-10, estimate how much money could be saved by making energy retrofits and generate a customized list of recommended improvements with the annual savings and estimated payback time for each one.

DOE said the Home Energy Score initially will be tested with local government, utility and nonprofit partners in 10 pilot communities across the country, located in both urban and rural areas and with a wide range of climates.

Another key feature of the program is that low-interest loans of up to $25,000 will be available through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)’s new PowerSaver loan program. Federally insured loans for energy efficiency upgrades will be available for terms of up to 15 years.

Homeowners will be able to use the loans to finance the home improvements of their choice – including insulation, duct sealing and efficient doors, windows, HVAC systems and water heaters – based on a list of proven, cost-effective measure developed by FHA and DOE.

FHA says PowerSaver interest rates will be as low as or lower than those associated with comparable financing options, and that the federal insurance will make the PowerSaver loans widely available. FHA is now seeking participating lenders for the pilot program and hopes to announce them, and the 10 eligible communities, early next year.

The third component of the three-part initiative, also announced today by DOE, is development of a uniform set of national guidelines for training residential retrofit workers. DOE said the guidelines are intended to give consumers confidence that work is being completed correctly and generating the expected savings.

“Reducing monthly utility bills is still one of the best ways to trim a household budget,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “The new initiatives announced today by Vice President Biden – which include the all-important element of widely-available financing – will help U.S. homeowners understand how to save energy in their homes while making those home improvements affordable.

“Until today,” Callahan continued, “no single major program has been able to break down the barriers to home energy retrofits by providing up-front information and financing to homeowners.”

The test phase will gauge how homeowners respond to the program and whether the information they receive encourages them to get energy improvements done on their homes. After the pilot tests conclude in late spring 2011, DOE expects to launch the Home Energy Score nationally later next year, based on the findings from the initial programs.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy and national security.

Learn about all our work at ase.org and how to save energy and money through energy efficiency at LivingEfficiently.org.

For further information:
Ronnie Kweller: 202-530-2203 (office); 202-276-9327 (mobile)