Development and Early Implementation of a Green Building
and Clean Energy Policy for a Major Public University System
Karl Brown, California Institute
for Energy and Environment, University of California
Michael Bade, University of California
Inspired by the groundswell of interest in sustainable buildings
and renewable energy, and supported by a major environmental advocacy
group, students in the 10-campus University of California (UC) system
have worked through the Student Regent to propose and gain Regental
approval for a groundbreaking Green Building and Clean Energy policy.
The rapidly growing UC system includes over 90 million gross square
feet of floor area and a high percentage of laboratory space, constituting
approximately 1% of the peak electricity load in California. Always
pursuing improvements in design and retrofit of existing facilities,
the UC system is now embarking on a major acceleration in advancement
of energy management on its campuses.
We report on the process of policy development and on the early
stages of implementation. One focus is on the different perspectives
of the various stakeholder groups, including the barriers and opportunities
perceived by each. Another focus is on public goods program funding
secured by UC, in partnership with the California State University
System (CSU) and California Investor-Owned Utilities, to help implement
energy-efficiency provisions of the Policy. This funding will allow
a major UC staff training and education program to be conducted
in 2004-2005.
Findings:
The Student Regent initiative tapped into the significant energy
management expertise and research capability from Federal and California
State institutions, as well as from within UC itself. The effort
included an unprecedented level of communication between all stakeholder
groups within UC, including students. The initiative received broad
support from staff responsible for the University capital program
in the Office of the President and on campuses. Consensus was reached
and all participants increased their knowledge and understanding
of the issues involved.
Best practice information, such as that available through the Laboratories
for the 21st Century Program, was important in increasing stakeholder
confidence that significant progress could be made toward sustainable
campuses. The setting of clear goals was key to marshaling support,
facilitating planning, and creating momentum for implementation
of the Policy. Learning and increased communication achieved during
the Policy development process allowed some campus sustainability
efforts to proceed ahead of the Policy schedule, toward goals that
would not have previously been thought possible.
Labs21 Connection:
The UC Green Building and Clean Energy Policy includes a design
requirement for energy efficiency surpassing California Title 24
requirements by at least 20% for new non-laboratory and non-hospital
facilities, as well a minimum design standard equivalent to a LEED™
2.1 "Certified" rating and a design goal equivalent to
a "Silver" rating. Appropriate equivalent goals for laboratories
and hospitals are under development, to be based on Labs21 Environmental
Performance Criteria. This will include attention to energy efficiency
for systems not addressed by California Title 24.
Goals for retrofit of existing buildings, a mandate for increased
efforts toward purchase of efficient equipment, and targets for
the development of renewable energy resources are also covered by
the Policy. In addition, the Policy encourages work with regulatory
agencies and other agencies to speed the development, approval,
and implementation of products and technologies that improve energy
efficiency and support sustainable design, construction and operating
practices.
Implementation will include a program for sharing of best practices
and incorporation of the Policy into existing facilities-related
training programs. Training and education planned for 2004-2005
includes the Labs21 High Performance Low-Energy Design Course and
a seminar on Labs21 Environmental Performance Criteria.
Biographies:
Karl Brown is Deputy Director of the California Institute
for Energy and Environment (CIEE), a part of the University of California
Office of the President (UCOP). With twenty years experience in
energy systems, Karl manages research in end-use energy efficiency
and assists with energy planning for University of California facilities.
His recent work has focused on the new Merced campus and on contributions
to the development of a UC Green Building and Clean Energy Policy.
Karl has been named 2003 Energy Engineer of the Year by the San
Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.
Michael Bade is an architect and is
Assistant Director, Design & Construction Services in the Office
of the President, University of California. Responsibilities include
oversight of design of new UC facilities, as part of a team overseeing
the University capital program. Michael coordinated development
of the Green Building portion of the recent UC Green Buildings &
Clean Energy policy. Michael has 20 years experience in architecture,
of which 12 were spent engaged on projects in Japan for multinational
corporations, primarily in the financial services, software, and
semiconductor industries.
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