SBJ.net Poll

Should the city of Springfield mandate that newly constructed city-owned buildings earn Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification?

For poll results, click here.

What Readers Think

Yes

The city of Springfield needs to take a leadership position on environmental issues to encourage industry to follow suit. We all need to think green, and it should start with our government and the choices they make with our tax dollars. They need to set the example for industry by taking the initiative on green development.

—Tony Stubblefield, Reliable Toyota/Lexus/BMW/Scion

Although I no longer live in the city of Springfield, I live in the area for which Springfield is the leading city. The question of whether to mandate LEED certification is a matter of regional leadership. To lead in any other direction would be unhelpful considering the many challenges we all face together as a world community. Further, any perceived economic savings of not doing so would likely result in false economy in the long term. Springfield routinely leads quite well, and this is another important opportunity to do so.

—Ray A. Jones, Signature Development Co.

No

I voted no because although municipalities, architects, home builders and contractors need building regulations as we have them now, our housing costs have always taken turns to the unreasonable when policies, procedures and mandates are handed to the market by (people) who work for politicians. Consequently, (they don’t) have the practical knowledge to put practices into place that ultimately benefit the end user: the homeowner. I am a member of the association of home builders and also sit on the Green Building Committee in Springfield. There are builders and contractors within our association and others that have pride and look toward the best interest of our homeowners. (These same people) also are proactive in making sure there is always a joint effort to educate the applicable government entities in areas that are practical, cost-efficient, high quality and safe.

—Scott A. Rookstool, Integrity Homes Inc.

I agree with green standards utilizing the National Association of Home Builders’ model but not mandating a huge fee-generated system such as LEED.

—Shannon Lee, Rock Solid Construction

Letter to the Editor: Builder backs green ideas, shuns municipal mandates

Letter to the Editor: Council should carefully take lead

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