Loudoun Supervisors Advocate Green Construction

Our Board of Supervisors continues to demonstrate the importance of the 2007 election. In the face of difficult decisions, the Democratic Board majority has not shied away from leadership on things that matter for our county. One recent example is an initiative by Supervisor McGimsey to promote green construction in Loudoun.

Finally, an issue that developers and government officials can agree on -- green building is the future, and the sooner Loudoun gets on board, the better for the environment.

According to Supervisor Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac), the conversation on constructing more energy-efficient buildings in the county is just beginning. McGimsey said she sees developers as part of the solution, which makes the need for teamwork between the two entities essential. - The Loudoun Times-Mirror

Green development is a major topic for this Board, as environmental questions, like energy use, water supply and water quality, encroach on our quality of life. Leadership on environmentally-sensitive construction and development is not only in the county's best interests, but also allows Loudoun to take advantage of economies of location in this industry. Many of the leading initiatives in green construction are manifested in Virginia. Meanwhile, Fairfax and Arlington, to which many Loudoun citizens commute, have already blazed the trail for us.

Brian Gault, director of sustainable development for Fairfax-based Peterson Cos., has been working with governments in Arlington and Fairfax counties for several years on the issue.

Gault said Arlington has adopted an incentive program to persuade developers to build green. Developers seeking a special exception for their projects can include environmentally friendly infrastructure, and receive bonus development density in return.

For example, instead of building a four-story standard commercial building, the developer would be allowed to build a six-story building if it chooses to build green. - The Loudoun Times-Mirror

While one could question whether a similar model would work in a county with plenty of unoccupied office space, an incentive structure for Loudoun's developers is surely a reasonable goal for the newly-constituted ad-hoc Energy Efficiency Committee which Supervisor McGimsey chairs. And Supervisor McGimsey should be commended for acknowledging the important role developers can play in making a more environmentally supportive Loudoun possible. Loudoun's Democrats are not against development, we are against bad development. (Incidentally, these green construction initiatives nicely complement Del. Poisson's environmentally-conscious efforts in the Assembly.)

Democrats from Loudoun have a cohesive philosophy of governance: a better and more sustainable quality-of-life for us and our neighbors. It is great to see them putting it in practice.