AARON: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE NEWS.  MY NAME IS AARON SHERMAN AND I AM THE RABBI AT TEMPLE JUDAH.  I WAS FORTUNATE TO BECOME A FATHER RECENTLY AND, AS WE WERE, AS I WAS FIGURING OUT THE COLOR FOR THE NURSERY WITH MY WIFE, I GOT TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THE VARIOUS COLORS AND IT SEEMS THAT GREEN WAS THE POPULAR COLOR TODAY, AND NOT JUST IN NURSERIES, BUT GREEN IS AN IMPORTANT COLOR TODAY AS WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORLD A GREENER PLACE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS TODAY. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT THIS PAST WEEKS 12 PORTIONS FOR JEWS WHO READ THE SCROLL OR THE 5 BOOKS OF MOSES IN AN ORDERLY FASHION AND EACH WEEK WE READ A DIFFERENT PORTION AND THIS WEEKS, THIS PAST WEEK WAS BY *** AND THEY ASSEMBLED THE PEOPLE FROM EXODUS AND IT TALKED ABOUT BUILDING THE TABERNACLE AND THE TABERNACLE IT SAYS TAKE FROM AMONG YOU GIFTS FROM THE LORD, EVERYONE WHOSE HEART SO MOVES HIM SHALL BRING THEM GIFTS FROM THE LORD, GOLD, SILVER, COPPER, BLUE PURPLE AND CRIMSON YARDS, FINE LINEN AND GOATS HAIR AND SO FORTH AND WE HAVE A BLUE PRINT FOR BUILDING UNTIL I OF COURSE AM NOT A BUILDER OR A SCIENTIST BUT I BRING TO YOU THIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE AND THE BUILDING THERE AND LET’S SEE IF THAT CAN SHED SOME LIGHT UPON US AS WE HAVE SOME GREAT GUESTS TODAY WHO WILL SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR AREA AS FAR AS WORKING ON THE ENVIRONMENT.  WHY SHOULD WE CARE CERTAINLY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, MAKING IT GREEN.  THE VALUES FOR CARING FOR CREATION, PURSUING JUSTICE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE NOT THE SOLE PROVINCE OF ANY ONE RELIGIOUS GROUP OR EVEN OF RELIGION ITSELF.  TO PEOPLE OF MANY FAITHS AND EVEN THOSE WHO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH NO PARTICULAR FAITH SHARE THE CONVICTION THAT THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT SITUATION IS AN URGENT MORAL CHALLENGE.  THIS IS FROM THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.  SUCH PEOPLE SHARE THEIR EXPRESSED CONVICTIONS IN PUBLIC STATEMENTS, IT CAN ADD A DIMENSION OF DEPTH TO PUBLIC DISCOURSE.  SUCH STATEMENTS DEMONSTRATE HOW WIDELY SHARED ARE THE VALUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY AND JUSTICE.  THEY SEND A STRONG MESSAGE THAT WILL ALL MUST COOPERATE IN CREATING PATHS TO A VIABLE FUTURE.  MORE THAN THAT BY THEIR EXAMPLE THEY NOURISH THE HOPES THAT SOMEHOW IN SPITE OF OUR DIFFERENCES, WE MAY FIND WAYS TO DO SO.  THIS IS GODS MANDATE, FOR AMERICANS EVERYWHERE, INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZE A OVERARCHING OBLIGATION FOR FAITHFULLNESS AND CARING FOR GODS CREATION.  MOREOVER WE ARE DISCOVERING THAT CARE FOR GODS CREATION RENEWS RELIGIOUS LIFE ITSELF.  AND SO WE ARE CALLED TO CONSIDER AN ANCIENT CHALLENGE AND REFRESH CIRCUMSTANCES ACROSS THE ENTIRE PLANET.  WE READ IN DUDEROTOMY, I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO WITNESS AGAINST YOU TODAY THAT HAS SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH BLESSINGS AND CURSES, CHOOSE LIFE THAT YOU AND YOUR DECENDENTS MAY LIVE.  SO WE HAVE AS I SAID A NUMBER OF DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS TO HELP US ON OUR JOURNEY.  WE HAVE HER PROFESSOR JERRY SCHNOOR WHO’S AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA WHO IS A REAL EXPERT ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND HAS SERVED ON MANY MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND HAS BEEN AN ADVISOR TO MANY IMPORTANT PEOPLE.  NEXT TO HIM WE HAVE MARK KRESOWIK.  MARK IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN LOBBYING OUR STATE LEGISLATURE NOW ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.  AND NEXT TO MARK WE HAVE SCOTT OLSON WHO IS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, WENT TO, GRADUATED FROM WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL AND IS AN ARCHITECT AND REALTOR AND IS CERTAINLY INVOLVED IN BUILDING AND SELLING PLACES WITH GREEN SPACES.  SO LET’S START WITH YOU PROFESSOR, WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING THINGS GREEN?

 

JERALD: I THINK PERSONALLY PEOPLE ARE CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE DO WANT TO HAVE A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.  SOMETIMES I WORRY THAT IT’S DOWN ON THEIR LIST OF MOTIVATIONS THAT PROBABLY THE ECONOMY AND SECURITY AND PROBABLY HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION ARE ABOVE IT BUT THE ENVIRONMENT IS CERTAINLY ON EVERYONE’S MIND RIGHT NOW.  I DON’T KNOW IF IT WAS LOOKING AT THE ICE MELTING LAST YEAR ON THE ARCTIC OR AL GORES MOVIE OR THE INTERGLOBAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE UNITED NATIONS CAME OUT WITH A BIG REPORT LAST YEAR.  BUT THERE IS AN IMPOTENCE RIGHT NOW THAT PEOPLE REALIZE WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE RELATE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND BUILDINGS ARE WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE SORT OF LOW HANGING FRUIT, IT’S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN PERHAPS DO, MAKE CHANGE MORE EASILY EVEN BENEFIT THE ECONOMY BY MAKING THE BUILDINGS BETTER AND SAVE ENERGY AND GREEN HOUSE GASES AND MONEY WHILE WE’RE DOING IT. 

 

AARON: SO THAT’S SOMETHING THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND A CONTRADICTION, THAT ACTUAL OR MAKING PEOPLE’S GREENER CAN ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY AND BRING JOBS AND SO FORTH.

 

JERALD: YEAH, I THINK WE LOOK AT IT ALL WRONG IN OUR COUNTRY.  THAT BECOMING MORE GREEN IS GOING TO BE ONEROUS AND IT’S GOING TO RUIN THE ECONOMY AND IN FACT I THINK THAT INACTION, BECAUSE CLIMATE IS CHANGING AND IT IS WARMING AND THERE ARE REPURCUTIONS, YOU KNOW ONE MAY THINK ABOUT HOW MANY HURRICANE KATRINAS OR FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OR DROUGHTS IN ATLANTA CAN SOCIETY WITHSTAND SO I BELIEVE PERSONALLY THAT INACTION IS MUCH MORE COSTLY THAN ACTION IN AT LEAST OUR CALL FOR ACTION FOR VARIOUS REASONS MANY OF WHICH YOU READ ABOUT TO IMPROVE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND OUR ENERGY AND THE ABILITY TO DO THAT ** TO DO THAT WITH SO CALLED LOW HANGING FRUIT MAKING OUR TRANPORTATION MORE EFFICIENT AND OUR BUILDINGS MORE EFFICIENT.

 

AARON: SO WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE, WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES ON THE FLOOR AT THE MOMENT?

 

I THINK WHAT JERRY IS TOUCHING ON AND AS YOU QUOTE DUEDEROTOMY, I’LL QUOTE GENESIS CHAPTER 2 WITH OUR CHALLENGE AND OUR MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP AND PROTECT THE GARDEN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND FOR ALL LIFE AND THE ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE AND THAT OUR BUILDING ENVIRONMENT AS JERRY DESCRIBED IS A HUGE INFLUENCE ON OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.  AND AS JERRY DESCRIBED THE IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GREEN BUILDINGS AND MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION TO EMPOWER OUR ECONOMY AND LOWER ENERGY COSTS AND GLOBAL WARMING INFLUTION.  AT THE STATE LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW WE’VE SEEN A COUPLE OF BILLS COME FORWARD FROM LEGISLATORS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF ENERGY AND BUILDING CODES IN THE STATE OF IOWA ALONG WITH CHARGES TO OUR UTILITIES, OUR ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND ACHIEVE CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY.  I THINK AS I LOOK AT THAT IT’S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS TO LOWER OUR COSTS, THE COST OF ENERGY TO CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY FOCUSED ON LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME AND FIXED INCOME PLACES WHERE THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE UP FRONT CAPITAL TO INVEST IN THIS AND THEY CANNOT DEAL WITH RISING ENERGY COSTS AS WE’VE SEEN IN THE LAST MONTH THAT’S HURTING OUR ECONOMY, IT’S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD, LOWER ENERGY COSTS THROUGH EFFICIENCY AND GREEN BUILDINGS. 

 

AARON: THANK YOU.  SCOTT YOU’RE AN ACTIVE REALTOR AND YOU’VE SEEN BUILDING GO UP AND HAVE BUILT THEM, PLANNED THEM.  WHAT DO YOU SEE IN CEDAR RAPIDS AND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA THESE DAYS AS FAR AS THE GREEN SPACES AND AS FAR AS ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING?

 

SCOTT: I THINK ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS THAT’S HAPPENING IS THAT THE CONCEPT OF GREEN AND ENERGY CONSERVATION IS GOING FAR BEYOND THE CONCEPT THAT’S CONSIDERED NECESSARILY JUST AN ENVIRONMENTALIST CONCEPT.  IT’S BECOMING A MAINSTREAM PRODUCT MARKETING TOOL.  IT’S BECOMING A MAINSTREAM JOB PRODUCT TOOL AND I JUST HAPPEN TO BRING A *** DOWN HERE, I’VE BEEN OUT OF TOWN, THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAGAZINES I RECEIVE, FROM FACILITY MANAGEMENT MAGAZINES TO BUSINESS MAGAZINES TO BUILDING OPERATIONS TO MARKETING MAGAZINES, PLANNING MAGAZINES, REAL ESTATE MAGAZINES, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE AND I BROUGHT THESE ALONG HAS AT LEAST ONE ARTICLE ON SUBSTAINABILITY, GREEN ARCHITECTURE, ENERGY CONSERVATION.  SO WHAT’S HAPPENING IS ARCHITECTS ARE BEING TRAINED TO BE CERTIFIED AND THAT’S HAPPENING ALL OVER IOWA AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WHICH MEANS WE’LL HAVE PEOPLE WITH MORE SKILLS DESIGNING BUILDINGS AND LOOKING AT THIS FROM THE SIMPLEST PRODUCT.  WE’RE SEEING FACILITY MANAGERS THAT ARE BEING PROMOTED AND THEIR LEAD THING IS THE FACT THAT THEY’RE SAVING ENERGY FOR THEIR BOSSES, THE CORPORATE CLIENT.  WE’RE SEEING A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE ROCKWELL COLLINS LOCALLY THAT HAS TAKEN THIS ON AS A CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY AND THEY’RE REQUIRING THEIR BUILDERS AND THEIR ARCHITECTS AND THEIR ENGINEERS TO DESIGN TO THESE STANDARDS.  IF YOU GO TO PRODUCT SHOWS AND I GO AS PART OF MY EDUCATION, CONTINUE TO GO TO DIFFERENT EVENTS, I’M GOING TO THE NATIONAL SHOPPING CENTER CONVENTION, THEY HAVE A WHOLE SECTION THAT FEATURES WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN SAVE MONEY, OR OWNERS OF MALLS CAN SAVE ENERGY IN THEIR FACILITIES AND PROMOTE THAT IN THE MALL IN WHAT THEY DISTRIBUTE IN PAPER, BAGS, SHOPPING BAGS, THEY’RE MAKING IT A MARKETING TOOL.  I THINK WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IS WHAT WAS SITTING BY THE SIDE IS NOW BECOMING MAINSTREAM AND A MARKETING TOOL AND I THINK ONCE BUSINESS AND CORPORATIONS AND DESIGNERS AND REALTORS JUMP IN WE’RE GOING TO SEE THINGS CHANGE RAPIDLY IN WHAT’S BECOMING A LITTLE ON THE OUTSIDE IS GOING TO BECOME MAINSTREAM.  I THINK WE’RE GOING TO SEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE LOTS OF BUILDING, LOTS OF EXISTING BUILDINGS CONVERTED AND I THINK WE’RE GOING TO SEE SOME MAJOR STRIDES IN ENERGY CONSERVATION.  WHICH WILL ALSO LEAD TO MORE PRODUCTS BEING DEVELOPED.  I THINK THAT’S REALLY GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

 

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK WE CAN GET?  HOW MUCH IS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF SAVINGS?

 

SCOTT: WELL, THIS IS INTERESTING.  ONE OF THE ARTICLES IN HERE, WHAT’S HAPPENING BECAUSE OF ALL THESE NEW PRODUCTS COMING ON LINE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BUY THEM, THEY ARE NOW ESTIMATING IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES THAT TO BECOME SUBSTAINABLE AND EVEN GET TO LEAD STANDARDS, CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE ONLY ABOUT 1 TO 2% HIGHER IN TOTAL BUT YET THE ENERGY SAVINGS IS 50%.  SO WHAT’S HAPPENED IS NOW THE MAINSTREAM IS STARTING TO TURN AND MORE AND MORE OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE COMING OUT AND THEY’RE BECOMING MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND PEOPLE CAN USE THEM OR FEEL COMFORTABLE USING THEM., THAT’S A PRETTY BIG DEAL.  ONE TO TWO % IN INCREASED COSTS, 50% ENERGY SAVINGS.  SO I THINK I’M REAL EXCITED ABOUT IT AND JUST SITTING IN THE LOBBY OUT HERE, ALL FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS, I’VE DONE THAT AT MY OFFICE, I’VE CHANGED OUT ALL MY LIGHT BULBS.  IT’S HAPPENING ALL OVER IN CEDAR RAPIDS.  PEOPLE ARE BUYING THESE AND MAKING THE INITIAL STEP.  I’M EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL AND IT’S NOT THAT COSTLY TO DO IT.

 

IF I CAN TOUCH ON THAT EXCITING FOR A MOMENT I THINK AS A FORMER STUDENT OF JERRYS AND SOMEBODY WHO HAS STUDIED THIS, THIS IS A HUGE GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR OUR ECONOMY, FOR ATTRACTING AND RETAINING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.  WE’VE SEEN IT WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY AND WIND TURBINE COMPONENT IN MANUFACTURING.  NOW THE NEXT STEP IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AS JERRY DESCRIBED, THE LOW HANGING FRUIT, THE CHEAPEST CLEANEST, QUICKEST WAY TO MEET PROJECTED ENERGY DEMANDS AND IT’S A START WITH OUR BUILDINGS AND OUR APPLIANCES AND AGAIN THIS IS INCREDIBLY EXCITING, AND EXCITING TIME TO BE WORKING IN THE FIELD BUT ALSO A GROWTH TIME FOR IOWA AND OUR ECONOMY. 

 

AARON: THAT’S GREAT.  YES.  JERRY WOULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE IOWA CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND WHAT IT’S DOING NOW.

 

JERRY: IT’S NOT ONLY IOWA, THERE ARE PROBABLY 20 STATES WHO ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT PLANS, SCENARIOS MULTIPLE WAYS THAT THEY COULD REDUCE THEIR GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE IN IOWA PASSED A BILL HOUSE SENATE BILL 485, IT CALLED ON US TO LOOK AT WAYS AGAIN, A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT WE MIGHT REDUCE OUR GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS SO THAT IS STRICTLY RELATED TO THE ENERGY THAT SCOTT WAS TALKING ABOUT REDUCE IT ABOUT 50% BY 2050.  THAT’S A MIGHT BIG REDUCTION AND BUT THE SCIENTISTS ON THE OTHER HAND SAY GEE, WE EVEN NEED MORE THAN THAT, MAYBE 80 OR 90% REDUCTION AND SO THE COUNCIL I’M ON IN DES MOINES IS LOOKING AT BOTH 50 AND 90% REDUCTIONS BY THE YEAR 2050. 

 

AARON: AND THE SCIENTISTS MUST BE OPTIMISTIC.  DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS ACHIEVEABLE?

 

JERRY: I SHARE THE ENTHUSIASM OF OUR OTHER PANELISTS.  I THINK THAT IT IS ACHEIVEABLE AND CERTAINLY IN THE EARLY YEARS WE SHOULD PROFIT FROM THIS.  MAYBE IN THE LONGER OUT YEARS THERE WILL BE EXPENSES BUT AGAIN AS I MENTIONED, IT’S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT ACTION IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN INACTION SO I’M NOT WORRIED ABOUT IT BECAUSE I AGREE WITH MARK THAT IT’S THE WAY THAT WE’LL CREATE GOOD JOBS FOR THE FUTURE, KEEP PEOPLE IN IOWA, HAVE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE. 

 

AARON: MARK, TELL US ABOUT IS IT ONE OF THE GOALS TO HAVE OUR STATE, 25% OF OUR FUEL BE BIODEGRADEABLE OR BIO RENEWABLE?

 

MARK: I THINK IT’S GOOD TO HAVE THESE GOALS.  I’M GOING TO PROVIDE A SLIGHTLY CONTRAST TO JERRYS OPINION HERE.  WE ARE FACING A DIFFICULT TIME.  WHERE OUR GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION COMES FROM THAT JERRY WAS DESCRIBING ALTHOUGH IT’S CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICITY THAT WE USE 85% OF OUR ELECTRICITY WE USE IN IOWA COMES FROM COAL.  COAL BURNING POWER PLANTS WHICH ARE THE SINGLE LARGEST SOURCE OF GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION AND MERCURY IN THE COUNTRY AND IN THE STATE OF IOWA.  RIGHT NOW OUR UTILITIES AND SOME POWERFUL ECONOMIC INTERESTS ARE TRYING TO INCREASE OUR DEPENDENCE ON THAT SOURCE AND SO I THINK UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION NOW, TO INCREASE OUR PERCENTAGE OF ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES LIKE WIND POWER WHICH AGAIN, WE’RE ALREADY DESCRIBED AS AN ECONOMIC BOOM TO THE STATE OF IOWA AND TO RURAL IOWA AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.  IT’S VITAL THAT WE MOVE FORWARD TODAY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY WHERE ACTION IS MUCH MUCH CHEAPER THAN INACTION SIMPLY STAYING AS BUSINESS AS USUAL, WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING FOR A CENTURY ISN’T GOING TO WORK IN THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT, WE CAN’T GO BACK TO COAL BURNING POWER PLANTS AND MAINTAIN OUR OVER DEPENDENCE THERE.  WE’VE GOT TO SHIFT AWAY AND THAT TAKES PEOPLE SPEAKING UP TO THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS AS THE UTILITIES FIGHT.  EVEN THE MOST CHEAP COST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MEET OUR ENERGY DEMANDS WHICH IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS. 

 

AARON: WE’RE GOING TO TALK SOME MORE ABOUT YOU MENTIONED ONE EASY THING WE CAN DO AS FOR CHANGING OUR LIGHTBULBS FROM INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS TO THE CFLS OR THE COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS.  WHAT ELSE CAN PEOPLE DO IN THEIR AREA EVEN IF THEY LIVE IN OLDER BUILDINGS, OLDER HOMES OR WORK IN OLDER BUILDINGS WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN ACTUALLY DO TO MAKE OUR BUILDINGS MORE EFFICIENT?

 

WELL I THINK A LOT OF THINGS YOU KNOW AS PEOPLE REPLACE APPLIANCES.  MOST OF YOU IF YOU JUST WATCH ALL THE TV ADS.  YOU CAN GET REBATES ON MANY ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES AND IT REALLY OFFSETS THAT EXTRA COST.  YOU CAN FIND PRODUCTS THAT INSULATE AND TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THESE OLDER HOMES USE AND THAT’S BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS BUT I THINK THAT THERE’S MANY REBATES OUT THERE.  WHAT’S AMAZING TO ME AND I MISS THEM IS THE FACT THAT UTILITY COMPANIES AS A WAY TO HOLD DOWN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLANTS, ARE OFFERING REBATES FOR LIGHT CHANGING, INSULATION, A VARIETY OF BUYING CERTAIN ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS, THEY’RE GIVING INCENTIVES TO BUILDERS LIKE SKOGMAN, SKOGMAN’S AN ENERGY STAR BUILDER, THEY’VE RECEIVED THAT AWARD FOR SEVERAL YEARS I BELIEVE AND FOR USING PRODUCTS THAT ARE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND AGAIN WHEN IT GETS BACK TO REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND WATCHING THE CHANGE IT GETS BACK TO HAVING COMPANIES AND HAVING A DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE REASONABLY BOUGHT, THEY MAY BE A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE OLD STYLE BUT IF PEOPLE THINK IT’S CLOSE AND THAT THEY’RE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY PUTTING IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT BULB OR PUTTING SOME INSULATION IN OR PUTTING A MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW IN, MOST PEOPLE WILL STEP FORWARD AND SAY HEY THAT’S SOMETHING I CAN DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FUTURE.  AND IF SOMETHING IS NOT EXPENSIVE AND THE PAYBACK IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS AND THEY’RE STARTING TO SHOW PAYBACK TIMES OF ONE TO TWO YEARS WITH A LOT OF THESE PRODUCTS WHICH IS UNBELIEVEABLE.  IT USED TO BE 7 TO 10, WITH THE COSTS AND EVERYTHING, NOW WE’RE STARTING TO SEE PAYBACKS OF AROUND A YEAR AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT’S GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND THAT WILL HELP THE COAL AND WHATEVER.  UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A SITUATION, WE DON’T HAVE MANY OPTIONS FOR GENERATING ENERGY AND I THINK THE IMPORTANT PART IS WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS TRANSITION TO WIN AND IT’S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO BUILD UP ENOUGH OR WHAT ARE THE OTHER SOURCES THAT MAY BE, IT JUST TAKES TIME AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT TRANSITION AND THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AND FIND MORE EFFICIENCY UNTIL WE CAN FIND THOSE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES.

 

THAT’S THE KEY RIGHT THERE, INVESTING HEAVILY IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY TODAY TO BUY US THAT TIME TO FIND OUT HOW TO FURTHER TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY SO WE DON’T FURTHER INCREASE OUR DEPENDENCE ON THE DIRTY SOURCES.  I THINK WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THE PAYBACK TIMES, THERE’S A PROGRAM CALLED COOL CONGREGATIONS STARTED BY AN ORGANIZATIONS CALLED IOWA INTERFAITH POWER AND LIGHT THAT DOES FAITH BASED ORGANIZING IN IOWA ON GLOBAL WARMING AND CLEAN ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY THESE ISSUES THAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.  TO SHARE SOME OF THE STORIES WHEREAS THEY TRAIN MEMBERS OF CONGREGATIONS TO CALCULATE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT AS WE DID IN JERRYS CLASS, I WON’T TELL THEM HOW HIGH YOURS WAS JERRY, BUT YOU CALCULATE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO REDUCE IT AND I THINK THE PAYBACK TIME FOR ONE FAMILY, THEY INVESTED 12 DOLLARS.  JUST 12 DOLLARS UPFRONT, BOUGHT A FEW LIGHT BULBS, CHANGED THEM OUT AND THEN DID SOME LITTLE THINGS IN THEIR LIFE, THEY REDUCED THEIR CARBON EMISSIONS, THE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION BY 10% AND ARE NOW SAVING $100 A MONTH SO THEY SPENT 12 DOLLARS AND THEY’RE SAVING $100 A MONTH ON THEIR ENERGY USE AND THAT’S THE KIND OF THING WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.  IT’S SO WONDERFUL TO SEE PEOPLE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATING NEW REVENUE SOURCES FOR THEMSELVES BUT THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT.  WE’VE SEEN ENERGY COSTS INCREASING DUE TO THE INCREASING PRICE OF OIL, THE TREMENDOUSLY INCREASING PRICE OF COAL, IN FACT IT’S DOUBLED TO BUILD A NEW POWER PLANT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THAT FALLS HARDEST ON THOSE ON FIXED AND LOW INCOME AREAS WHO DON’T HAVE THE ABILITY TO INVEST UP FRONT SO THEY SIMPLY DON’T HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME AND THAT’S WHERE WE’VE GOT TO STEP IN WITH UTILITIES, WITH GOVERNMENT AND WITH OTHER SOURCES OF MONEY WITH PEOPLES GOOD WILL TO HELP THE LOW AND FIXED INCOME COMMUNITY START INVESTING IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY FIRST SO THAT THEY REAP THE BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE DISPOSABLE INCOME TO CHANGE THE LIGHT BULBS OR BUY NEW APPLIANCES AND THEY TEND TO LIVE IN OLDER HOUSING STOCKS SO WE’VE GO TO FOCUS ON RETROFITTING THOSE PLACES FIRST AS WE CHANGE THE NEW EASY BUILDINGS, WE ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER THE LEAST OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 

AARON: EXACTLY.  AND PROFESSOR WHAT ELSE DO YOU SEE ON THE HORIZON AS WE CONTINUE TO, INVESTING VERY LITTLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND MAKING SUCH DRASTIC CHANGES, WHAT DO YOU SEE ON THE LARGER PICTURE THINGS THAT OTHER WAYS THAT WE’LL BECOME MORE EFFICIENT?

 

JERALD: WELL SCOTT AND MARK BOTH MENTIONED JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WIND AND WIND HAS ALREADY COST COMPETIVELY WITH COAL FIRED POWER AND DENMARK RIGHT NOW HAS ABOUT 23% OF THEIR ENERGY, ELECTRICAL ENERGY IS COMING FROM WIND POWER AND IN THE UNITED STATES IT’S SOMETHING LIKE ABOUT 1%.  THE MARKET IS GOING TO GROW, THE ABILITY TO GROW THE MARKET HERE FOR WIND IN UNBELIEVEABLE.  ALREADY WE HAVE 5 WIND PLANTS, MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN IOWA PLANNED OR BUILT, 2 TURBINE MANUFACTURERS ONE RIGHT HERE IN CEDAR RAPIDS, CLIPPER, ONE IN WEST BRANCH, TWO BLADE MANUFACTURERS AND ONE TOWER MANUFACTURER AND THESE ARE CREATING WONDERFUL GREEN POWER JOBS IF YOU WILL AND IT’S COMPETITIVE RIGHT NOW.  THERE IS A FEDERAL TAX CREDIT ABOUT 1.9 KILOWATT CENTS PER HOUR WHICH IS IMPORTANT I THINK TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE INDUSTRY IT’S HERE AND IT’S GOING TO GROW TREMENDOUSLY, THERE’S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE PLANTS HERE.  BIO FUELS IS ONE WE’RE PROBABLY THE LEADING STATE IN BIO FUELS BUT RIGHT NOW WE’RE MAKING THEM OUT OF CORN, OUR FOOD CROP AND WE’RE USING AN AWFUL LOT ON NUTRIENTS AND SOIL IS LOST IN THE PROCESS AS WELL AS WATER TO MAKE THE CORN FOR ETHANOL.  I VIEW IT AS A BRIDGING TECHNOLOGY, IT’S GOING TO TAKE US TO A BETTER PLACE AND IT WILL MAKE BIO FUELS MORE SUBSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE IN IOWA CAN AND SHOULD BE A LEADER, WILL LIKELY USE CELLULOSE PLANTS LIKE SWITCH GRASS, WE’RE GOOD AT GROWING THAT OR EVEN REPLANT PRAIRIES.  PRAIRIE POLICULTURE TO MAKE THE ETHANOL IN THE FUTURE THAT’S AN EXCITING THING THAT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT 5 OR 10 YEARS OR SO.  ALL KINDS OF THINGS WILL HAPPEN I BELIEVE AND ARE ALREADY HAPPENING, LAST WEEK THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A NEW GREEN GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ACHEIVE 25% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY THE YEAR 2025 IN IOWA AND 15% ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN 2015 AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE EXCITING, YOU KNOW, WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE OUR TAXES.  WHY DO WE TAX OUR PRODUCTIVITY WITH AN INCOME TAX SO YOU DON’T WANT TO WORK AS HARD OR BE CREATIVE.  WHY DON’T WE SWITCH THAT, INCREASE THAT INCOME TAX AND INSTEAD OF TAX OUR UNSUBSTAINABILITY.  TAX OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND TAX IT REALLY PROGRESSIVELY SO THAT THE MORE YOU USE THE MORE YOU’RE GOING TO PAY AND HAVE THE WHOLE SCHEME BE REVENUE NEUTRAL.  I THINK WE CAN SELL THAT KIND OF THING.  WHY DO WE SUBSIDIZE ROADS AND WHY DO WE HAVE OIL DEPLETION ALLOWANCES?  WHY CAN’T WE SUBSIDIZE INSTEAD BIKE PATHS AND BIKE LANES AND FREIGHT RAIL.  WHY DON’T  WE HAVE A MASS TRANSIT BETWEEN CEDAR RAPIDS AND IOWA CITY FOR EXAMPLE.  THERE’S SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER AND IT IS REALLY EXCITING. 

AND TO TURN IT BACK FOR A MOMENT ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY GREEN BULDING STANDARDS SPECIFICALLY, YOU MENTIONED THE LEAD.  JUST FOR THE AUDIENCE LEADERSHIP AND ENERGY ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN WHICH IS A GREAT GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL.  ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN BUILDING SPECIFICALLY IS ACTUALLY THE ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODES WE ALREADY HAVE ON THE BOOKS FOR ENERGY IN SOME CASES WE HAVE VERY GOOD BUILDING CODES FOR ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN **** WE CAN GO A LOT FARTHER.  WE ALSO NEED TO INVEST IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE CODES WHERE THERE ARE SOME, CERTAINLY NOT *** HERE BUT THERE ARE CONTRACTORS AND OTHER FOLKS WHO SIMPLY AREN’T MEETING THOSE CODES RIGHT NOW.  WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS IMPLEMENTED SO AS WE TALK ABOUT GOING WITH MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND MORE GREEN STANDARD WHICH ARE GREAT THINGS TO DO WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE IMPLEMENTED PROPERLY.

 

AND I THINK THAT GETS BACK TO THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THAT AS THESE PRODUCTS BECOME MORE MAINSTREAM AND ARE THE PRODUCT OF CHOICE AND THEY DON’T COST THAT MUCH MORE.  THE CONTRACTORS THAT AREN’T DOING AS MUCH WILL START USING THOSE PRODUCTS BECAUSE I THINK THE CONSUMERS GOING TO BE ASKING FOR THEM.  I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT’S GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN REAL ESTATE AND IN ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDINGS THAT ALREADY IS, PEOPLE ARE ASKING YOU KNOW IS THIS BUILDING MEET SUBSTAINABLE REQUIREMENTS.  IS IT ENERGY EFFICIENT AND WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTS ASKING THAT QUESTION OF REALTORS OF BUILDERS, OF DESIGNERS, WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THEY’RE GOING TO DESIGN TO THOSE STANDARDS.  REALLY IT’S CONSUMER DRIVEN AS TO WHY WE DRIVE ON ROADS BECAUSE IN IOWA PEOPLE LOVE THEIR CARS.  UNTIL WE CAN SAY RIDE A BIKE OR WALK THEY’RE GOING TO DRIVE THEIR CARS.

 

AARON: OR MORE EFFICIENT VEHICLES.

 

MORE EFFICIENT VEHICLES BUT IT’S A USER AND IT’S A CONSUMER DRIVEN.  YOU CAN ENFORCE AND AGAIN A LITTLE BIT YOU CAN PUT RULES IN PLACE BUT UNLESS THE CONSUMER USES THOSE RULES THEY’RE NOT GAINING US ANYTHING AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE THE PRODUCTS AND THE SERVICES AND THE TYPES OF BUILDING READILY AVAILABLE AND IF PEOPLE START USING THEM AND SAY HEY, THIS IS NOT DIFFERENT THAT REALLY WHEN I WAS LIVING IN BEFORE AND BY THE WAY MY ELECTRIC BILL IS A LOT LESS.  HOUSE IS EASIER TO HEAT AND COOL AND IT’S A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE, IT’S MORE NATURAL LIGHT.  YOU KNOW THEY’LL START SAYING THIS IS NOT SO BAD AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL BECOME MAINSTREAM AND WE’LL START SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THESE TYPES OF BUILDINGS AND LESS AND LESS OF THE OLDER ONES AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING, I SEE IT HAPPENING JUST IN CONFERENCES AND TRENDS ALL THE BOOTHS ARE HOW MUCH WATER CAN THIS URINAL SAVE OR HOW MUCH WATER CAN THIS TOILET SAVE OR THIS LIGHT BULB AND SO PEOPLE ARE SAYING LET’S USE THEM. 

 

I THINK THE KEY HERE IS FOR THE CONSUMER TO ASK THEIR REALTORS, ASK THEIR ARCHITECTS, ASK THEIR *** AND ALSO ASK THEIR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ASK THEIR GOVERNOR CULVER, THEIR STATE LEGISLATORS AND THEIR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT BUILDING ***** AND INSURE THAT THE PROPER THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE BOTH IN THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND WITH GOVERNMENT TOGETHER, PRIVATE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN BUT IT TAKE US THE CONSUMERS, YOU NEED THE CONSUMERS SPEAKING UP AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

 

AARON: THAT’S RIGHT AND IF YOU STAY TUNED TO THE SHOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS ALLIANT ENERGY YOU LEARN WAYS OF HELPING OLDER HOMES.

 

IT’S BEEN A GREAT PROGRAM THROUGH THE YEARS. 

 

JUST BE SURE TO TELL THEM TO STOP THEIR COAL PLANTS. 

 

AARON: AND USING MORE EFFICIENT IT IS A GREAT WAY OF REALLY HELPING THE WORLD I MEAN WE SAVE MONEY OURSELVES AND HELP MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.  WE PUT LESS CARBON IN THE WORLD AND THAT’S DECREASED THE AMOUNT OF GLOBAL WARMING AS YOU SAID.  WE’RE LEARNING MORE AND MORE WE HAVE TO DO SO MUCH MORE THAN WE’RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

 

WE DON’T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE I DON’T THINK.  WE’RE GOING TO DO IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE MAY AS WELL DO IT WITH GOOD PLANNING AND WITH A HAPPY SMILE ON OUR FACE AS WE GO ALONG AND PROVIDE A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDRENS CHILDREN.

 

AARON: THAT’S RIGHT AND CERTAINLY THE ENTHUSIASM HERE HOPEFULLY WILL COME ABOUT AND ENCOURAGE US ALL TO LEARN TO BE MORE EFFICIENT WITH THE FUELS WE USE.  THANK YOU FOR SPENDING YOUR MORNING WITH US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU HERE NEXT WEEK.  HAVE A GOOD DAY.