|
|
 |
12 March 2008
U.S. Secretary of Energy taps Actus Lend Lease to Lead Energy-Efficient Homebuilding
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has posed a challenge for the homebuilding industry- to build 220,000 high performance homes by 2012. Following the Lend Lease tradition sustainable development, Actus Lend Lease responded to this challenge, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to sustainable development and best practices.
Honored by a direct request from U.S. Department of Energy Secretary, Samuel Bodman, Actus joined the DOE Secretary, DOE Assistant Secretary, and the 37 other committed builders, to officially launch the Builders Challenge. The ceremony was held during the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida last month.
Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Builders Challenge is a voluntary public-private effort to generate demand for high performance, energy-efficient homes. Through the use of the DOE’s EnergySmart Homes Scale (E-Scale) consumers will be able to clearly and easily see their homes energy performance and make smart energy decisions when purchasing, renting, or updating a home. Likewise, builders will be able to show potential homebuyers the energy performance achieved by a particular home or model.
Jeffrey Simon, Actus Lend Lease President, has committed to lead Actus’ contributions to the DOE’s goal of 220,000 highly efficient homes built by 2012. Representing an estimated 2-3% of the new homes market during that period, these houses will rate 70 or lower on the E-Scale- making them at least 30% more energy-efficient than typical new homes. (On average, Energy Star is an 85 on the E-Scale, which is currently 15% above current energy codes). By reaching this goal, participating builders will be taking the equivalent to 50,000 passenger cars off the road for an entire year and will save homeowners US$143 million on their energy bills.
The EnergySmart Homes Scale is already in use at Fort Drum, New York States largest Energy Star Labeled Development and plans are underway to roll the E-Scale out at Actus’ other projects starting next month.media
|