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REALTOR®: SAMCAR Realtors Suggest Ways to Create a More Sustainable, Environmentally Friendly City

Monday, October 22, 2007

Jill Boone, Sustainability Consultant for the City of San Mateo, discussed what the City is doing to reduce impacts on the environment at a San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® tour meeting last week, and SAMCAR Realtors, in turn, shared their thoughts on how to make the city more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Boone, who is a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional), told Realtors the City of San Mateo is concerned about sustainability and environmental issues, and the City wants to achieve a better environment and reduce the amount of trash generated by residents and businesses. She said Realtors can be instrumental in helping the city promote these policies.

“I predict these are going to become big issues in the real estate industry in the near future,” said Boone.

In line with these goals, Boone said city officials are focusing on policies for climate change, building for the future and partnerships with businesses and organizations.

Man’s contribution to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has contributed to global warming and endangering our future, Boone said. “If we continue business as usual, our temperature could increase three to seven degrees.”

Boone said the City is seeking a green building program to set standards for new construction, remodels or improvements, with a standard for commercial buildings, such as the LEED Silver of the San Mateo Library, and a GreenPoint rating for residential buildings. But she indicated San Mateo is built out already and not getting much new construction.

“What can we do about the current housing stock now?” she asked SAMCAR Realtors.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and cities measure their impact on global warming by identifying the sources of CO2 within their city and calculating the amount of metric tons emitted from these sources. In San Mateo, sources of CO2 include waste disposal, 3 percent; electricity, 19 percent; transportation, 55 percent; natural gas, 23 percent. These sources alone amount to the emission of 625,000 metric tons of CO2.

Boone said the City of San Mateo is encouraging pro-active programs to lessen CO2 impacts. She noted natural gas usage is the biggest producer of CO2 because it is used in furnaces, gas locks, water heaters, stoves, dryers, etc. While these are important uses, the City is encouraging residents to conserve. Simple measures such as replacing furnace filters, weatherizing your home, installing programmable thermostats, replacing old appliances with energy saving ones, switching to “on demand” heaters and low flush toilets can do a lot to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Boone said Realtors can do a lot to help the city by encouraging their clients to reduce energy and water consumption. They can point out that reducing energy will help lower costs and therefore help residents pay their mortgage. Energy saving features in homes can also help sellers sell homes. She recommended that Realtors advise sellers to dispose of their trash in environment friendly ways, like recycling.

“With your knowledge and professional understanding, we can be more sustainable and more environmentally friendly,” said Boone.

She then invited SAMCAR Realtors and affiliates to share ideas to save energy. Here are some of their suggestions: the City should offer incentives for hybrid cars; encourage nuclear power; promote solar power in homes by providing residents with realistic break-even incentives; create higher density housing near transportation corridors to reduce traffic; continue with education programs and disseminating information to make residents in order to make them more aware of these and other energy conservation measures.

Boone shared the following Web sites which provide more information about the topic. To learn about the City’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and add your voice to the process of developing sustainable initiatives, visit www.cityofsanmateo.org/green.html. Calculate your personal carbon footprint and offset your climate impacts at www.cool-it.us. Learn more about sustainability at www.sustainablesanmateo.org. Discover transportation options at www.commute.org. Find tips and energy saving estimates at TerraPass: www.terrapass.com; U.S. Department of Energy: www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_office.html; and PG&E: www.pge.com/res/rebates/energy_tools_resources. Find recycling and green building information at www.RecycleWorks.org; www.builditgreen.org; www.USGBC.org.

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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