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The destruction caused by the wildfires and flooding that has left countless Fort McMurray, Alberta residents homeless, has impelled Built Green Canada to support the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s (RMWB) rebuilding efforts.
Built Green Canada is a national, industry-driven, non-profit organization offering third-party certification programs for those interested in sustainable practices in the residential building sector. The programs are focused on energy efficiency but extend to materials and methods, indoor air quality (IAQ), ventilation, waste management, water conservation, and business practices.
Given the barrage of challenges and opportunities facing RMWB, Built Green Canada has been examining the situation to find an appropriate time to extend their support. On the heels of the municipality issuing its first rebuilding permit, the organization is offering financial support to those who want to integrate green features into their developments.
All residential builders on the RMWB registry will receive a 50 per cent discount on membership fees with Built Green Canada, as well as a full financial waiver for home certification fees for projects going through the organization’s Single Family (SF) program as part of the rebuild. This will remain in effect through 2017 to help relieve the financial burden on both builders and homeowners.
“Alberta’s residential building industry has historically shown—and continues to show—tremendous environmental leadership,” said Built Green Canada executive director Jenifer Christenson. “With a spotlight on Fort McMurray’s rebuilding efforts, there is an opportunity to showcase the good work happening in sustainable development, while the municipality, trades, and organizations like Built Green Canada come together to rebuild and strengthen this community.”
This co-ordinated effort benefits not only the environment, but also homeowners who will enjoy a healthier, more durable, and affordable home through a reduction in the operating and maintenance costs of homeownership and rebate eligibility.
We should all try and support safety when we include photos of our Industry. This Carpenter should have the basic PPI at least and assuming he is on the roof of a house, fall protection.
Well… I commend you for your effort and good luck with the initiative, but my opinion is the uptake will be small relative to the need.
Insurers providing the funds need to be part of the solution as well as the City, Provincial and Federal governments.Saving a couple thousand dollars on fees (I’m assuming… because you don’t elaborate on what the average savings would be) is nowhere near enough incentive.
Having built a “green” house for myself already, I am fully aware that going this route is much more costly than run-of-the-mill code compliant construction. House replacement costs would likely be in the $150-$200/sq.ft. range. A 2000sq.ft. home could be upwards of $400,000.