Save $Green By Training Building Managers
Does the Responsible Developer spend money in recession to realize the many benefits of green buildings? One very familiar developer says Yes!
President Obama may now be a Responsible Developer because earlier this month he agreed that in order to obtain the cost savings of green buildings, you had to spend money to properly maintain them. This news was well received by the IAPMO (the code and trade association that develops plumbing, mechanical and solar codes). Accordingly, Obama signed into law new legislation that provides training to federal building managers to ensure that taxpayers realize the benefits of the intended energy cost savings in green buildings. Interestingly, the bill did not provide extra funding.
The 2010 Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act will give the General Services Administration a year and half to identify the core skills needed to manage these ever increasingly sophisticated buildings and to make sure the managers get standardized and certified training.
One of the new bill's sponsors, Representative Russ Carnahan, co-chairman of the congressional high-performance building caucus, stated that "Sustainability and energy conservation isn't just about the air we breathe or the water we drink. It's about saving money for families, businesses and taxpayers."
Of course this pay-to-save sentiment is not entirely new. Three years ago, at an annual meeting of public owners in Seattle, an attendee commented that they had been given more than adequate new construction budgets for green, energy efficient buildings, but had been given inadequate budgets for training and maintenance. He felt that the lack of funding for maintenance would lead to reduced energy savings, costly repairs or claims.
The Responsible Developer, even in tough economic times, realizes that the only way to achieve the intended cost savings of green and more efficient buildings is to properly manage and maintain them. She and he also know that the same maintenance is also good risk management because it may prevent indoor air quality and property damage claims. Other bloggers like Greg Zimmerman (Facilitiesnet) have wisely noted that responsibilities must be clearly spelled out in Green Building Contracts to avoid claims.
So Developers and Owners, you can be Presidentially Green and save money in the long run by providing better training of your managers and giving them the money to maintain your buildings.
Great post, Greg. I could not agree with you more. Green buildings do not work on their own, and developers need to consider building use education. The topic should be managed as part of the building contract.
I do believe that the USGBC needs to make this a part of their rating system, so that there is some mandate to provide for training. I have written about it on my blog in the past.
Thanks for continuing the discussion. I sincerely hope that green raters here the call soon, but until then private developers should fill the gaps with their contracts.
Thanks Doug,
Seems a lot of public developers and owners in recession are having to consider making budget cuts but must first pause to consider the savings of deferred training and maintenance for green buildings against the cost of future claims. As you know, in some contracts the owner's failure to properly manage or maintain could result in a loss of warranties and become an affirmative defense for contractors and manufacturers.
PS. Am a great fan of your blog (and Mike Purdy's), keep up the good work!