It’s not easy building green.
You need to preserve trees on your lot, use nontoxic materials, install energy-efficient appliances, build with recycled components when possible and landscape with native plants, to name just a few environmentally friendly practices.
More exotic options include laying natural-fiber carpet — even better, ceramic tile — installing a solar water heater, using wood that’s certified “sustainable,” and sending stormwater into the earth instead of down the sewer.
Tall as the order sounds, more than 50 members of an all-volunteer Clallam County Built Green committee are drafting a checklist to certify “green” homes.
They include builders, architects, Realtors, scientists, nursery owners, planners, financiers, hardware dealers, educators, contractors, environmentalists, foresters and politicians.
Partners include the Puget Sound Action Team, Clallam County Public Utility District, Clallam County, the cities of Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim, and the Clallam Conservation District
Driving them are multiple motives, including doing the environmentally right thing.
Trademark for homebuyers
There’s also rising environmental awareness among homebuyers, says committee chairman Kevin Russell, and they’re seeking Built Green homes.
Built Green is a trademarked term that originated in Colorado but is shared by similar efforts in Washington, other states and Canada.
Jefferson, Kitsap, Clark, King, Pierce, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties already have such programs.
In Clallam County, it originated with the North Peninsula Building Association.
Clallam County must develop its own checklist, Russell says, because its environment differs from those of other counties — and environments differ even within its boundaries.
Russell, who owns Pacific Northwest Log Homes of Port Angeles, says: “We’ve recognized the need for this among builders. We want to bring best practices to our community, new innovative ways to build.”