Dear Green Builders,
The importance of encouraging green-building is
unquestionable. Unfortunately builders who look to alternatives are often
confronted with a host of legal and regulatory barriers, and very few
incentives.
I am a third year law student at the University of Victoria,
on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In conjunction with West Coast
Environmental Law (a non-profit, public interest law shop based in Vancouver) I
am working on a paper outlining barriers facing green builders, and suggesting
solutions to facilitate better building practices. I would be interested in
hearing your input as to barriers that you have faced (e.g. problems getting
code approval, insurance problems etc.) and possible solutions you foresee.
My paper is aimed at being rather comprehensive, so feel free
to think broadly. The paper will look at both large scale and small scale green
building. I will also be touching on a lack of positive incentives, such as tax
breaks, for green building. Input from everywhere is welcome, but Canadian
experience is particularly encouraged.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take Care,
Rodney Wilts
