Recent action

Making homes more energy efficient

In September, state building code officials from across the country approved the largest improvement in building codes in recent history. The move will increase the energy efficiency of new homes by as much as 20 percent.

Environment Virginia called for making building codes 30 percent more efficient—a goal that our research showed was feasible with current technology. To make the case we released a white paper in July, titled “Building an Energy-Efficient America.”

“Much work needs to be done to move America toward a future of super-efficient and, better yet, zero-energy buildings,” said our chief energy advocate, Rob Sargent. “But this step signifies progress, and we’re happy to see it.”

Research: Saving water in drought-prone areas

Here in Virginia, and throughout the Southeast, the historic drought of 2007 and 2008 was a long overdue warning to conserve our water resources. Unfortunately, our waterways are still being drained by out-of-control sprawl, wasteful irrigation methods, and coal-plants, which need millions of gallons for cooling.

A September report authored by Environment Virginia demonstrates that simple steps could save billions of gallons of water. “Using Water Wisely” demonstrated that switching to efficient methods could save up to 1.86 trillion gallons of water per year in six states.

The report showed that potential water-savings could be implemented in states across the country grappling with drought. In particular, the report touted the benefits of common-sense steps such as providing commercial incentive programs for water-saving technology in new home and business construction and requiring water-efficient irrigation for agriculture.

Georgia’s main reservoir, Lake Lanier, hit an all-time low in 2007.

Mission statement

We all want clean air, clean water and open space. But it takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for our environment, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of environmental progress. That’s the idea behind Environment Virginia. We focus exclusively on protecting Virginia’s air, water and open space. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives.

credits

Photos: Page 1: Natalia Bratslavsky*, Anders Bockgard*, staff. Page 2: Doug Bradley (CC) ; CDulude (CC); April and Randy (CC). Page 3: vahamrick*, Zack Frank*. Page 4: Adam Bies*, Steven V (CC). * denotes under license from Shutterstock.com.

Editor: J.R. Tolbert Contributors: Jim Amspacher, Justin Boyles, Zach Cullimore, Matthew Curtis, Sara Landis, Ethan Lavine, Jenna Perry Leschuk, Ryan Moeckly, Leana Nordstrom, Dan Platt, Kate Powers, Nathan Proctor, Heather Shute, Jenne Turner. Publications Director: Richard J. Hannigan.

Design: Public Interest GRFX (215) 985-1113.

E-mail Environment Virginia.