Watauga County Green Business Plan
Quint David
130 Poplar Grove Rd Ext
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 262-8336
davidfb@appstate.edu
Support of community members and organizations strengthens the social fabric building trust and cooperation to solve common problems
Business contributes welfare by supporting participation in community activities, civil organizations, and community events by providing flexibility in work schedules or making cash, in-kind contributions to community based organizations.
Business supports the local economy through membership in business-to-business networks, mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, or giving preference to local vendors.
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related to community involvement not included in the scorecard.
The United States has gotten more new energy from efficiency than from all net expansions of domestic energy supplies put together. Thus, it is critically important to address all reasonable means to reduce the amount of energy we use by reducing consumption. With consumption reduced, measures to increase Green Energy will have the greatest benefit.
Prerequisite - must be completed before certification
Complete the online, self‐administered, energy audit at www.energyguide.com (enter zip code, “select analyze your use”) to identify areas to improve energy efficiency. In order to meet the requirement of this measure the business must complete the “Detailed Analysis” option.
Measures are taken to improve efficiency of water heating systems. [5 points‐ installation of tankless‐type water heater with Energy Factor of at least .8, 4 points‐ installation of storage tank‐type water heater with Energy Factor of at least .63 if gas‐fired or .90 if electric, 2 points‐ install timing controls and insulation wraps on tank and pipes, 1 point‐ insulation wraps on tank and pipes
Appliances, electronic devices, and equipment purchased or leased by the business are Energy Star certified. For a complete list of ENERGY STAR products visit www.energystar.gov. [5 points‐12 items, 4 points‐10 items, 3 points‐8 items, 2 points‐6 items, 1 point‐2 items]
Eliminate your carbon footprint with the purchase of renewable energy credits from N.C. Green Power. [5 points‐ 100% of monthly electricity usage offset, 4 points‐ 75% of monthly electricity usage offset, 3 points‐ 50% of monthly electricity usage offset, 2 points‐ 25% of monthly electricity usage offset, 1 point‐ 10% of monthly electricity usage offset]
Professional energy audit preformed to identify areas to improve energy efficiency within previous 5 years. The audit shall include recommendations with estimated savings for each measure. Completion of this measure may substitute for the “self energy audit” prerequisite. For a list of professional energy auditors visit: www.GreenBusinessPlan.com. [10 points]
Installation of a renewable energy system such as photovoltaic, wind, or micro‐hydroelectric, to generate electricity to meet at least 50% of electricity consumption. [10 points]
Installation of a solar water heating system. [10 points]
Replace exterior incandescent and halogen lighting with fluorescent, metal halide, high‐pressure sodium lighting or other lighting technology, such as LEDs, with equivalent efficiencies. [5 points‐ 90% of lighting fixtures, 4 points‐ 70% of lighting fixtures, 3 points‐ 50% of lighting fixtures, 2 points‐ 30% of lighting fixtures, 1 point‐ 10% of lighting fixtures]
Timers or motion sensors installed for exterior lights and all lights (except security lights) turned off when business is closed. [5 points‐ 75% of lighting circuits, 4 points‐ 50% of lighting circuits, 3 points‐ 25% of lighting circuits, 2 points‐ 10% of lighting circuits, 1 point‐ 10% of lighting fixtures]
Install ENERGY STAR‐qualified windows. [5 points‐comprehensive implementation, 3 points‐partial implementation]
Install high performance attic and ceiling insulation [5 points if attics are R‐48 or cathedral ceilings are R‐38]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related to energy efficiency but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]
Install high performance, Energy Star certified HVAC system components. For a complete list of ENERGY STAR products visit www.energystar.gov [5 points for each furnace, heat pump, and air conditioning unit. For businesses with multiple units points: 5 points‐ 90% of units, 4 points‐ 70% of units, 3 points‐ 50% of units, 2 points‐ 30% of units, 1 point‐ 10% of units]
Contract for annual inspection and maintenance of HVAC system [5 points]
Install programmable thermostats to control heating and air conditioning. Thermostats should be set to no more than 68° F during heating season and no lower than 72° during cooling season while business is occupied. When the business is unoccupied the settings should be set to no more than 60° F during heating season and no lower than 78° during cooling season. [5 points]
Replace interior incandescent and halogen lighting with fluorescent lighting or other lighting technology, such as LEDs, with equivalent efficiencies. [5 points‐ 90% of lighting fixtures, 4 points‐ 70% of lighting fixtures, 3 points‐ 50% of lighting fixtures, 2 points‐ 30% of lighting fixtures, 1 point‐ 10% of lighting fixtures]
Upgrade traditional fluorescent lighting system (T‐12) with energy efficient fluorescent lighting system (T‐8 or T‐5) or other lighting technology with equivalent efficiencies. [5 points‐ 100% of fluorescent fixtures, 4 points‐ 80% of fluorescent fixtures, 3 points‐ 80% of fluorescent fixtures, 2 points‐ 70% of fluorescent fixtures, 1 point‐ 10% of fluorescent fixtures]
Timers or occupancy sensors installed for intermittent use areas and all lights (except security lights) turned off when business is closed. [5 points‐ 75% of lighting circuits, 4 points‐ 50% of lighting circuits, 3 points‐ 25% of lighting circuits, 2 points‐ 10% of lighting circuits, 1 point‐ 10% of lighting fixtures]
Businesses and other entities with environmentally and socially responsible purchasing policies strive to obtain maximum value in expenditures, and work towards obtaining the "best value" by balancing short and long‐term costs, maintenance, life cycle, and environmental costs in purchasing goods and services.
A preference is to procurement of products containing recycled content such as office paper and stationary (30% post‐consumer), paper towels & toilet paper (40% post‐consumer content), office supplies, furniture, and construction and remodeling materials. For a list of commonly available products with recycled content, please visit: www.GreenBusinessPlan.com. [5 points‐12 items, 4 points‐10 items, 3 points‐8 items, 2 points‐6 items, 1 point‐2 items]
A preference is to food and beverage products grown, raised or produced in the surrounding area, such as fruits and vegetables, baked goods, meats, dairy products, eggs & poultry, and beverages. For a list of local agricultural products, please visit: www.GreenBusinessPlan.com. [5 points‐ 30% of food purchases, 4 points‐ 20% of food purchases, 3 points‐10% of food purchase, 2 points‐ 5% of food purchases, 1 point‐ 1% of food purchases]
A preference is given to procurement of non‐toxic products such as cleaners, paints, and furnishings. Non‐toxic products can be identified by the appearance of third‐party verified labels such as Green Seal and Greengaurd [5 points‐12 items, 4 points‐10 items, 3 points‐8 items, 2 points‐6 points, 1 point‐2 items]
A preference is given to procurement of goods and services from green businesses. For a list of local, regional, and national green businesses visit www.GreenBusinessPlan.com. [5 points‐10 vendors, 4 points‐8 vendors, 3 points‐6 vendors, 2 points‐4 vendors, 1 point‐2 vendors]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related to environmentally and socially responsible purchasing but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage is an irreplaceable source of inspiration and is worth preserving and promoting for future generations.
Promote region’s traditional arts, crafts, and music heritage through direct and indirect practices. Direct practices include showcasing cultural heritage through hosting exhibits and performing artists. Indirect practices include financial or in‐kind sponsorship of local cultural programming. [5 points]
Grounds are landscaped with plants and trees common to the region and designed to encourage wildlife habitat. [5 points‐ meets criteria of National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program]
Business helps restore, conserve, or preserve area’s natural resources through direct or indirect practices. Examples of direct practices include participation in the Town of Boone’s Adopt‐A‐Stream program, placement of business property in a conservation or greenway easement, and participation in ecological restoration project. Examples of indirect practices include participation in the High Country Conservancy’s Hotel Giving Program and financial or in‐kind donations to local conservation groups or land trusts. [5 point‐ three measures, 3 points‐ two measures, 1 point‐ 1 measure]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related the preservation of the area’s natural and cultural heritage but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]
Reducing, reusing, and recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. It reduces the need for land-filling and incineration, saves energy and prevents pollution, decreases emissions of greenhouse gases, conserves natural resources, and helps sustain the environment for future generations.
Prerequisite - must be completed before certification
A program is in place to collect all locally recyclable materials including office paper, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum. The program should include placement of bins and signs in such a manner as to facilitate participation by both employees and patrons.
A program is in place to compost food, landscaping, and other organic waste through a collection service or on‐site system. [5 points‐comprehensive implementation, 3 points‐partial implementation]
Chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, paints, cleaning supplies, waste electronics, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and other hazardous materials are securely stored, and disposed of properly. Proper storage consists of labeling, spill control, sealed, non‐leaking containers, and proper ventilation. Proper disposal consists of disposal with hazardous waste treatment or recycling facility or participation in semi‐annual household hazardous waste days. [5 points‐comprehensive implementation, 3 points‐partial implementation]
Business takes steps to replace aluminum, plastic, polystyrene, and styrofoam convenience containers and shopping bags with reusable or biodegradable alternatives. [5 points‐ 90% of containers, 4 points‐ 70% of containers, 3 points‐ 50% of containers, 2 points‐ 30% of containers, 1 point‐ 10% of containers]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related to solid waste management but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]
Transportation accounts for a considerable amount of the nation’s consumption of natural resources. Many methods of offsetting the high consumption rates include promoting and using public transportation, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and making all of these alternate means of less consumptive transportation measures easier and more popular.
Use of alternative modes of transportation is encouraged for business and patrons through posting of AppalCart routes, preferred parking for carpooling, ride sharing board, bicycle racks. [5 points‐ four measures, 4 points‐ three measures, 3 points‐ two measures, 1 point‐ one measure]
Patrons offered opportunity and encouraged to voluntarily offset carbon footprint resulting from traveling to business location. [5 points‐ 50% participation, 4 points‐ 40% participation, 3 points‐ 25% participation, 2 points‐ 10% participation, 1 point‐ 5% participation]
Company vehicles are hybrid electric or make use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel or ethanol. [10 points‐ 90% of fleet, 8 points‐ 70% of fleet, 6 points‐ 50% of fleet, 4 points‐ 30% of fleet, 2 points‐ 10% of fleet]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related alternative transportation but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]
Water is a fundamental part of our lives. It is easy to forget how completely we depend on it. In fact, human survival is dependent on water. It is a valuable commodity and is not a resource with unlimited supply. We must take measures to assure we protect our water quantity and quality. Water conservation is important because it preserves and protects our natural resources, it saves money for you and your community, and it insures the reliability of your water supply.
Water conserving fixtures in place with flow rates equal to or less than current building code (toilets ≤ 1.6 gallons per flush, urinals ≤ 1 gallon per flush, showers ≤ 2.5 gallons per minute, faucets ≤ 2.2 gallons per minute, ). [5 points‐ 90% of fixtures, 4 points‐ 70% of fixtures, 3 points‐ 50% of fixtures, 2 points‐ 30% of fixtures, 1 point‐ 10% of fixtures]
Business takes steps to minimize outdoor water usage by not washing sidewalks and driveways with potable water, only water landscape overnight or after dusk, installing drip irrigation systems. [5 points‐ all three measures, 3 points‐ two of three measures, 1 point‐ one measure]
Install rainwater collection system for outdoor water use or indoor plumbing as permitted by local ordinances. [5 points]
Measures are in place to minimize stormwater runoff and eliminate pollutants. Best management practices include use of organic fertilizers and pesticides, permeable pavement for driveways and parking lots, and installation of storm water wetlands or rain gardens. [5 points‐ all three measures, 3 points‐ two of three measures, 1 point‐ one measure]
Minimize the use of chemical pesticides through principles of integrated pest management. Specify in pest control contracts the prioritization of prevention practices and least toxic alternatives. [5 points]
A business may score additional points for implementing green business practices related to water conservation and water quality but not included in the scorecard. [Up to 10 points]