An Earth Day Message To The Development Industry
Today is Earth Day. It is hard to miss. If, like me, you use Google Reader, you will be inundated with the images of the earth. Especially the Apollo 8 image which I have attached to the left. But, what are the messages that we are getting this Earth Day? Some are the small things that each of us can do to help the environment: recycle, turn of lights, conserve water, use CFLs, etc. Other messages are grander such as buying hybrid cars, paying a little more for utilities to purchase renewable power, or buying carbon offsets.
But what should the Development industry be doing on this earth day? Perhaps reminding our tenants and patrons to be better stewards of the Earth? Or, does that message get lost in all of the other "go green" messages?
In this blog post, I propose that developers take a different tactic that could have an impact on your business' bottom line for years to come. Send an email (don't you dare waste that precious paper!!) to your state and federal Representatives encouraging them to institute more robust and advantageous net metering and feed in tariff laws. Ask for increased incentives for property owners to own and install solar panels (not just incentivize the manufacturers to make them). Demand that utilities offer easier and less restrictive interconnection standards and processes. Petition for the removal of backup charges and demand charges for renewable energy installations.
In a year that will see unprecedented funding of energy projects, this type of effort will not be in vain.
Happy Earth Day everyone!!
