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HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS

The High Performance Buildings Coalition (HPBC) was initiated in 2004 by Green Decade to address the immediate needs of the rebuilding of Newton North High School, and then to look at systematic changes that ensure all future buildings and renovations citywide use high performance ("green") standards. By implementing such measures, we focus on a fiscally responsible approach that will also reduce the owner´ consumption of natural resources.

HPBC advocates that the life cycle cost be evaluated for all proposals as opposed to only considering the initial capital expenses. Life cycle costs include utility and maintenance costs. This will force designers to evaluate how their design will reduce the consumption of natural resources (electricity, oil, natural gas and water). HPBC has chosen a payback period of 20 years when looking at life cycle costs (even though buildings will last much longer!).

HPBC participants include:
  • Green Decade Coalition/Newton
  • Newton League of Women Voters
  • Newton Conservators
  • Renewable Resources (formerly SUNERGY)
  • Energy Commission
  • Sustainable Newton Committee
  • Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee
  • Architects and other concerned citizens

 Newton South High School

Green Decade was instrumental in presenting the economic savings of "green" renovations for Newton South High School in January 2001. Many ideas were implemented and the City of Newton is realizing a savings of over $200,000/year on energy, heating and water costs.

For information about LEED certification and other Green Building information, be sure to visit our Resource page!

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