Sustainability Policy Recommendations
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Create a cabinet-level position to manage climate change programs and policies for the federal government and include a focus on the existing built environment in federal programs and initiatives.
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Send Congress a climate change legislative proposal that provides strong incentives (such as energy retrofit tax credits or cap and trade proceeds) to make existing buildings perform more efficiently.
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Direct appropriate executive agencies to manage and develop programs with necessary funding to encourage the sustainable rehabilitation of existing buildings, including single-family and multi-family housing.
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Eliminate disincentives for rehabilitation; eliminate incentives that foster sprawl; facilitate Brownfield redevelopment; and focus on recycling smaller Main Street and rural buildings with an emphasis on homeownership opportunities and economic development.
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Provide funding for appropriate infill development in older cities and neighborhoods in ways that will enhance – not destroy – community character.
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Create programs that support the retention or location of public buildings – schools, post offices, courthouses, libraries – in existing communities and not in sprawl locations.
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Provide agency-wide expertise at the management level with an emphasis on links between existing buildings, sustainability, and energy performance and ensure thorough communication at all project review levels.
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Protect all historic preservation programs particularly in federal transportation activities that foster sustainable, transit-oriented development and focus on the reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure.
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Develop a bold, proactive agenda for the 21st century (especially related to the upcoming transportation reauthorization bill) that emphasizes livable, walkable communities; promotes renewable resources; and maximum energy efficiency.
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Establish a grant program for states and localities to implement energy codes that facilitate building rehabilitation and energy retrofits.
Submitted by potentiallife at: February 7, 2009
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