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2004 Smart Growth Summit "Setting the Standard" Friday, November 19th from 8:00AM - 4:00PM |
| Energy “In an area when ‘smart growth' is the common mantra, it may be worth considering that smart growth must, of necessity, be energy-efficient growth.” -- Jim Schwab, American Planning Association
Background Inefficient and poorly planned land use taxes infrastructure and wastes fossil fuels. It increases personal energy costs, contributes significantly to Global Warming and leaves Long Island needlessly dependent on foreign and unsustainable resources. Our over-dependence on cars alone dramatically impacts Long Island 's fossil fuel consumption.
Long Island can be a leader in energy efficiency. By carefully directing h ow and where we build, we can significantly reduce energy needs. The practical ideas of Smart Growth: compact, mixed-use communities that offer transportation options and emphasize the preservation of greenspace can reduce water contamination and mitigate the release greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. We can cut private and industry energy costs, and reduce Long Island 's vulnerability to fluctuations in foreign energy supply and prices. Within our developments, green building practices can advance Smart Growth goals of environmentally friendly, sustainable development.
Natural Resources Defense Council, Congress for the New Urbanism, and US Green Building Council are working together to establish standards to certify “smart”, energy efficient neighborhood developments. LEED-ND standards will provide an incentive for better location and design and prompt more mixed-use construction. An important initiative being advanced here on Long Island is the Long Island Neighborhood Network's Clean Energy Leadership Task Force. The Task Force provides Long Island municipalities with information on less polluting energy technologies and helps them identify and understand the funding and incentive programs. Local governments, in turn, will lead the public in implementing the technologies available to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and vehicles.
Guiding Principles “How to Build”-Improved Neighborhood/ Building Design • Orient buildings and streets in relation to the Sun to reduce energy needs • Employ energy efficient design • Increase the use of shade trees and greenspace to reduce cooling needs • Narrow streets and reduce parking requirements to alleviate “urban heat island effect” • Place buildings to allow for co-generation • Employ solar thermal hot water systems to lessen the need for electricity to heat water • Use solar panels and distributed energy generation to provide back-up energy • Expand Greenspaces and preserve forests to enhance natural carbon dioxide reduction
“Where to Build”-Location Efficiency • Focus development in or near city centers and transit to reduce petroleum usage. • Choose energy saving transportation alternatives and increase fuel efficiency of vehicles. • Locate residences near retail and offices to reduce auto-dependency • Avoid developing remote areas to reduce infrastructure extension costs • Locate schools near residences to encourage walking • Consider energy needs when making land use decisions |
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