NACE/AACE Western Regional Conference Laughlin, Nevada November 3, 2011 Tim Psomas Chairman of the Board, ISI Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure
Outline Background Development Features of Envision TM Working with Envision TM tools Participating with ISI
Background Founding partners support sustainability as a key belief APWA Center for Sustainability ASCE Committee for Sustainability ACEC Green Scorecard Each explored a rating system for non-habitable structures. Came to agree that a shared effort would succeed Leveraging a broader membership Creating a civil infrastructure standard model
Development Inventoried the market (900+ rating systems) Engaged two consultants experienced with FIDIC and CEEQUAL to develop basic framework ASCE Foundation contributed $300,000 to development of rating system Founder Partners developed goals for a rating system, gap identification, refinement of approaches, products Collaborated with federal agencies
Goals Become recognized as a National Standard for Sustainable Achievement based on user acceptance and application; accommodate sector-specific approaches Guide practitioners, owners & stakeholders in the framing of infrastructure solutions and the performance goals Sustainability must be affordable Public nature of infrastructure projects requires support of policy makers, communities and stakeholders guide behavioral improvements in project conceptualizing while confirming technical competence Keep it simple, practical, adaptable and usable
Features Applies to planning, design, construction & operation Range of scores for sustainable performance from conventional to sustainable to restorative Creates incentives to balance project features to improve sustainable performance Creates record of sustainability decisions Awards based on: Overall project achievement Project achievement on specific owner-driven objectives
Rating System Criteria Section Weight (%) 1 Pathway 12.6 2 Project Strategy & Management 10.6 3 Community: Long & Short Term Effects 10.7 4 Land Use & Restoration 8.9 5 Landscapes 7.0 6 Ecology & Biodiversity 8.8 7 Water Resources & Environment 11.5 8 Energy & Carbon 11.7 9 Resource Management Including Waste 8.2 10 Transportation 10.0 TOTAL 100%
Levels of Rating Tool Application Stage Description Benefits 1 Overall Guidance and Checklists 2 Assessment and Recognition Provides understanding of sustainability and triple bottom line accounting and application to infrastructure projects. Step by step process for owner or engineer to perform self-assessment and to indicate areas where improved benefits could be achieved. 3 Operational Imperatives Larger or more complex projects in planning stages and where individual areas of excellence can be highlighted. 4 Decision Support (future) Allows balancing of various elements of a project to optimize performance and investment. Assist settlement of differing opinions or approaches with stakeholders or regulatory needs
Current Status of Rating Tool
Working with envision tm Tools Stage 1 Rating Tool See example in handouts Stage 2 Rating Tool See example in handouts
Accreditation
Participating in ISI Government, Agency & Public Agency Members Complimentary membership for public agencies. Reduced pricing on training/seminars. Committee positions. Charter Members Early funders/investors-3 years of dues; Seat on ISI Advisory Council, input into ISI products, programs and services, logo on ISI website and recognition at ISI events, online information sharing, reduced pricing on ISI training/seminars
Q & A Questions and feedback Opportunity for ISI SP accreditations Opportunity for ISI committee engagement
. Contact Information: Timothy Psomas, P.E. Chairman of the Board Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure 1275 K Street, NW Suite 750 Washington, D.C. 20005 310.433.4755 cell tpsomas@psomas.com