A team of engineering and architecture specialists today made a special presentation entitled “Sustainable Design in Michigan” to the House Energy and Technology Committee.

State Rep. Jeff Mayes, committee chair, invited the four-person group to provide an overview of sustainability issues in Michigan. The invite came just one week after representatives from ACEC, AIA and MSPE met with Rep. Mayes to offer expertise on the subject. A flurry of LEED-specific bills have been introduced in the legislature and assigned to Rep. Mayes’ committee.

The goal was to help committee members understand the past, present and future of sustainable design and discuss any regulatory options that could be put in place to address ‘green’ building issues.

Michael Cooper, PE, LEED AP, a member of the ACEC/Michigan Board of Directors (Pictured right); Ronald Campbell, president of AIA/Michigan; John Condie, PE, 2009-2010 president of MSPE; and Kim Stevens-Len, LEED AP, of Wigen Tincknell Meyer & Associates, made the presentation and fielded numerous questions from the committee.

Cooper, of Harley Ellis Devereaux, pointed out the differences between various green-building standards, like LEED-designed facilities, Energy Star and Green Globes, and provided real-world examples to emphasize the purpose of each standard. Condie, a principal at Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, addressed the fact that building codes in many states are already being modified to adopt “green” standards.

Campbell, of Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services, discussed the possibilities and economic viability of retro-fitting older buildings and homes versus new construction. He also talked about engaging and educating young people by creating a ‘green’ curriculum of classes in his role as adjunct professor at Lansing Community College.

The group responded to an hour’s worth of questions from interested committee members and was asked for recommendations on suggested legislation that would encourage the use of sustainable design concepts in Michigan. A follow up meeting with the committee is expected.

For more information Contact: Cindy Schmitz