Summer Is Here, well almost..

The spring semester is coming to an end, bringing with it the summer.  A career fair behind us, many of the students in the Rinker School of Construction at the University of Florida have found internships for the summer.  I am not one of those students.  I made the crucial error of not attending the career showcase.  In the past couple of weeks, I have been getting emails from our job placement coordinator with new openings.  In one of the more recent emails, I came across the company Ryan Homes that constructs highly energy efficient, residential communities.  They are 100 percent Energy Star certified and third-party verified to deliver savings. 

 Energy Star homes are quieter, save money, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.  A typical Energy Star home is 20-30% more efficient than a standard home. Every home this company sells receives a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score.   They achieve efficiency through use of Energy Star appliances, an ICP air conditioning system, air ducts are sized specifically to each home to increase efficiency.  Insulation is added between living spaces and the attic, while insulated basements keep out moisture.  House wrap and silicone sealants protect against excess heat and cold and moisture.  

Kitchens are made by a company that is specially certified for environmental stewardship.  Carpeting is fully recycled and vinyl siding contains 30 percent recyclable material.  Interior and exterior paints are low in volatile organic compounds for better air quality.  Landscaping is done with native plants to reduce irrigation.  Quite frankly, I'm impressed with Ryan Homes'  dedication toward sustainability.   Nearly fifty companies came to the career fair this spring.  Some of them have projects that are sustainable.  Some also have sustainability listed as part of their commitments.  But not one company I have researched was solely committed to all sustainable construction like this residential builder. (Disclaimer: I have researched most, but not all of the companies listed on the attendance sheet)  In the future, companies will be forced to build completely green structures.  Federal and State laws are demanding less energy use from buildings.  Ryan Homes will have an advantage having built relationships with suppliers and subcontractors through the years that are already working toward sustainability.  

The career path I'd like to take includes both the residential and sustainability sides of the industry.  I've already started working the idea with my friends to either retrofit their homes or build new, net-zero energy homes!  I figure once I have some experience under my belt, they'll also be at timely point with their assets.  Hopefully, I will have also established relationships as Ryan Homes has with its suppliers and subcontractors.  Hollywood stars, meet your next green GC!

This Fracking Guy

I started my master's program at the University of Florida with the hope of one day contributing positively to society.  Having worked in other industries, I wanted to move into an industry I thought would be more meaningful.  The plan was to earn a degree in building construction and upon graduation start a job at a company that focuses on building more sustainable, green buildings.  This is my first semester enrolled in a sustainability course.  My romantic notions haven't changed.  I still want to pursue a career making sustainable, green buildings.  What has changed is it's not as easy as I thought.  There's a lot of new technology.  There are also a lot of different materials and energy resources to take into consideration. Each decision made on product and design comes with its trade-offs.  After reading and researching alternative energies, I am more confused than prior to taking this course.  Most of my past knowledge came from the media or documentaries.  And of course, both are skewed resources.  I thought there was an answer to move from oil and coal to the use of biofuels and natural gas.  Biofuels are renewable.  So, at first glance it seems to be a no-brainer, but when the cost of food and supply are affected negatively, biofuels aren't as appealing.  From what I have seen from television advertisements and a few of the president's speeches, natural gas is the future and answer to solving the United States energy dependency problem.  Advertisements suggest that natural gas is a cleaner fuel that is abundant in the United States.  It does have a cleaner burn, but the process to extract the gas has gained skepticism.  Natural gas lies trapped deep below the surface in shale rock.  In order to extract the gas, a process called fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been developed.  

Drilling more than a mile deep and then horizontally across the rock allows for highly pressurized fluids to extract the gas.  The tunnels are lined with cement to prevent groundwater contamination, but there still seems to be leakage.  The chemicals used in the fracking process are kept secret, but growing evidence is showing a very deadly result.  Gasland is a documentary that aired on HBO that delves into the natural gas industry.  The director travels across the heartland of America exposing many communities afflicted with illness, polluted lands and lakes, and an increase in animals deaths due to the mess the natural gas companies have made by fracking.  Chemicals are released into the water.  Gas is also released into drinking water.  Many times potable water becomes saturated with gas after the drilling that flames can be lit on faucets. The natural gas companies continue to deny the harm fracking causes and many people believe natural gas to be the solution.  

What I have learned thus far this semester is to be skeptical. There is never really a complete alternative or solution.  Many times the consequences aren't known until after the process has been completed.  Society needs to look for alternatives to our current consumption and energy use, but with a cautious approach.