Why Green?
Building your future...GREEN!
Building your future...GREEN!
Green Building is a state of mind. It is a way of thinking. A way of being in harmony with your environment and community. It's not some catchy phrase designed to attract business. It's a desire to participate in making the world a better place. We're inviting you to join us.
Energy Programs
The Sustainability Team offers several programs to address energy issues
and opportunities in the County. The Team offers free energy efficiency
assessments and technical assistance and provides rebates and incentives
for residents and businesses that want to install renewable energy systems.
The Team is currently researching the feasibility of aggregating County
electrical loads in order to gain the autonomy to choose where our energy
comes from.
Solar Energy
With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Million Solar Roofs Initiative,
the Marin Solar Program was able to create a solar potential map of the
county. The map uses topographic information to determine the amount of
solar insulation an area receives. Use the links below to explore areas
of the County to determine the solar potential for your site. 
If your site is located in an area of gold or yellow, you may be well situated
for a solar electric or hot water installation. Local conditions such as
orientation and shading will affect suitability.
The Local Coastal Program (LCP)
The Local Coastal Program (LCP) is a planning document that identifies
the location, type, densities, and other ground rules for future development
in the coastal zone. Each LCP includes a land use plan and its implementing
measures. These programs govern decisions that determine the short and long
term conservation and use of coastal resources.
Marin County's
Local Coastal Program is divided into two units: Unit I and Unit II. Unit
I was certified in 1980 and includes the communities of Muir Beach, Stinson
Beach, Seadrift, and Bolinas. Unit II was certified in 1981 and includes
the communities of Olema, Point Reyes Station, Inverness, Dillon Beach and
Oceana Marin, Marshall, and Tomales. The primary goal of the LCP is to ensure
that the local government's land use plans, zoning ordinances, zoning district
maps, and implemented actions meet the requirements of, and implement the
provisions and polices of the Coastal Act at the local level.
The Green Business Program
The Green Business Program is a voluntary partnership among business leaders,
government agencies and non-profit organizations. We recognize and promote
businesses that demonstrate continuous compliance with applicable environmental
regulations, conserve energy, water, and other materials, implement sound
environmental practices that prevent pollution and waste generation, and
share environmentally responsible practices with other businesses in our
community.
The Marin County green business program is part of the Bay Area Green Business
Program. There are over 600 certified Green Businesses located in Marin,
Sonoma, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara Counties.
February 14, 2008
Solar electric systems - also known as photovoltaic(PV)systems - have very little impact on the environment, making them one of the cleanest power-generating technologies available. PV systems produce no air pollution, hazardous waste, or noise, and they require no transportable fuels. Because of these benefits, PV can play an important role in mitigating environmental problems like these:
Ground-level air pollution has severe health and environmental effects and
contributes to visibility problems in scenic areas. Traditional power sources
are the largest contributor to this pollution; in contrast, solar power produces
no air pollution.
Global warming is causing a rise in sea levels, and this leads to a loss of coastal wetlands, erosion of shorelines, and increased flooding in coastal areas. Local and regional climate shifts can also have severe impacts on ecosystems and agriculture. Solar power produces no greenhouse gases, so it does not contribute to global warming. Find out more about PV and global warming.
Energy experts are evaluating the "energy payback" of PV systems - the time it takes a PV system to generate enough zero-emissions energy to equal the energy used to produce it.
A variety of chemicals are used to produce PV cells. Some PV systems use small amounts of toxic chemicals such as cadmium and selenium. Using these chemicals causes PV factories to generate a small amount of hazardous waste, which is disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal environmental laws. In terms of safety and health, simple protective and administrative measures effectively protect those who work on PV. In terms of the environment, PV production produces small amounts of waste materials, but it is minimal relative to emissions from conventional energy sources.
Because some toxic chemicals are used in making PV panels, disposal at the end of their useful life is another potential environmental issue. Now, only a small volume of PV panels is disposed of each year, so this is currently a minor issue. But the industry is already looking ahead toward recycling methods for future PV panels.
December 07, 2008
Moisture and mold are often spoken of in the same breath. Indeed, moisture
management and with it, the potential of mold growth, have become two visible
concerns in the construction industry today. Add indoor air quality to the
mix and you've got an equation that begs for solutions.
In the commercial construction environment - whether it's shopping malls,
medical or educational buildings or even in general office buildings - much
depends on how vertical surfaces manage moisture and the potential for mold
growth during construction and afterward. How these surfaces address the challenges
posed by these concerns can have a profound effect on the life of a structure
and its indoor environment, as well as on the lives of those who inhabit it.
In today's tightly sealed structures, inner wall cavities present ideal growth
opportunities for mold, simply because of the moisture concentration, the
lack of air circulation and the temperature differential from one side of
the wall to the other.
Thus, mold's greatest potential for growth is out of sight. Drywall with fiberglass
mats—not paper facings—denies mold a food source it needs to grow. The
right building products and the right moisture management strategies will
help protect the building and its inhabitants.
December 05, 2008
Design Moisture Forgiveness is a building science concept generated by the
demand for increased energy efficiency in the built environment. The two must
be considered together in the design of a structure and as part of a complete
construction moisture management plan.
But, reducing energy consumption is not just good economics; it's a basic
tenet of sustainability. As buildings become increasingly tighter, they also
can become more susceptible to moisture damage which can compromise the performance
and durability of the building over time.
This means that building owners, architects, and contractors must employ an
integrated project delivery strategy to manage moisture effectively. Paperless
fiberglass mat drywall products used on both exterior and interior surfaces
provide the moisture forgiveness that protects the performance of the structure
and the inhabitants within.
A key part of sustainable design is to use proven moisture-tolerant solutions
on both exterior and interior surfaces of the building enclosure, as well
as interior walls, behind tile in wet areas, in shafts and stairwells and
within a roofing system.