Washington, DC (May 15, 2008)- Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) introduced H.R.6078, Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act of 2008 (GREEN Act). This act encourages energy efficiency and conservation and the development of renewable energy sources for housing, commercial structures, and other buildings to create sustainable communities. The Alliance for Community Trees has worked closely with Congressman Perlmutter (D-CO) to advocate for the inclusion of best practices in urban forestry and planned green development.
Bill Status:
May 15, 2008- Introduced by Rep. Perlmutter.
May 15, 2008- Referred to House Financial Services Committee.
June 11, 2008- Committee Hearing.
Among the provisions in this bill are:
* Incentives for housing developers to partner with tree-planting organizations to certify that trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants are planted in the proper manner and provided adequate maintenance.
* Siting of housing and improvements in a manner that provides for energy efficiency and conservation.
* Not less than 50 percent of the total area of paved surfaces at the site of such housing will be shaded, consist of greenspace, be covered by solar energy panels or greenroofs, or be part of a geo-thermal piping system.
* File how any construction, rehabilitation, or other development will affect and minimize the effects of construction, rehabilitation, or other development on the condition of existing trees.
* Selection and installation of trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants based upon applicable design guidelines and standards of the International Society for Arboriculture.
* Establish a goal for minimum greenspace or tree canopy cover for housing sites for which such financial assistance is provided, including guidelines and timetables within which to achieve compliance with such minimum requirements.
* For the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to consult with national organizations dedicated to providing housing assistance and related services to low-income families, the Alliance for Community Trees and its affiliates, the American Nursery and Landscape Association, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the National Arbor Day Foundation, and take such actions as are appropriate to establish, and encourage the establishment, of such agreements and working partnerships between such organization and its affiliates and recipients of assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the development, maintenance, operation, or costs of housing.
Co-sponsors include the following Representatives: Mr. HODES, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. MARKEY, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. KAGEN, Mr. BRALEY of Iowa, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, Mr. ELLISON, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. WELCH of Vermont, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. OLVER, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. ANDREWS, and Ms. TSONGAS).
Related Resources:
H.R.6078, Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act of 2008 (GREEN Act)
Rep. Ed Perlmutter Introducing G.R.E.E.N. Act for Affordable Mortgages
Green Affordable Housing Advances in Congress
Energy Independence: Good for National Security, Climate, and Jobs
Rep. Ed Perlmutter