JoAnne Butler provides voice of experience at the Ontario Power Authority

When JoAnne Butler joined the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) as its vice-president of electricity resources back in 2008, she arrived with a wealth of global experience and expertise.

And those trademarks have served her well over the ensuing years.

Ms. Butler’s career has featured multi-year stops in Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, as well as expatriate roles in both Egypt and Tunisia. So she definitely brings an international viewpoint to the table.

“It is very rewarding to work in different cultures and to understand different perspectives,” Butler tells Green Business and Sustainable Strategies magazine. “ But one thing is clear in all areas of the world where I have worked – we have an inescapable dependence on energy to make our modern world possible.”

In the Middle East, she said she honed her technical oil and gas production skills. In Mexico, she was an independent power producer supporting the ongoing business of two combined cycle gas-fired power plants under contract with the Mexican government.

“So my skills extend from seismic to burner tip,” she says. “Now I am on the public sector side of the business and have walked a mile in other people’s shoes on the developer side, and understand their motivations, as well, when they come to me with concerns about their contracts.

“The electricity business is complex in any jurisdiction, so just problem-solving through issues around it, whatever the country, is always helpful experience.”

And make no mistake about it, Butler has made her mark in Ontario, along with her team and the Ontario Power Authority as a whole.

“In 2008, we had more than 11,000 megawatts of new supply under contract,” she notes. “Almost five years later, the OPA has more than 21,000 megawatts of electricity supply under contract and it’s all clean energy – 8,039 MW of renewable wind, solar and bio-energy, 2,367 MW of renewable hydroelectric, 7,679 MW of natural gas, combined heat and power and energy from waste, and 3,000 MW of nuclear capacity under contract.

“Of the 21,000 megawatts under contract, almost 13,000 megawatts are already in commercial operation, and the rest is under construction or in early development stages. As a result of these procurements and the OPA’s conservation efforts, Ontario is no longer in the dire electricity supply situation it faced in the last decade. We have clean, reliable supply in place for the next several years.”

She says that a big reason for the significant amount of wind, solar and bio-energy under contract to the OPA is the creation and launch in 2009 of the “groundbreaking” feed-in tariff (FIT) program for renewable energy, the “first comprehensive one of its kind in North America.”

The FIT program, Butler points out, offers long-term contracts at set prices for solar, wind, hydro and bio-energy projects in the province.

“It’s meeting the goals that were set out to be accomplished – kick-starting renewable energy development, and fostering economic development, job creation and a cleaner supply of electricity for the province,” she says. “To date, we’ve executed more than 1,700 FIT contracts and more than 13,700 microFIT contracts for over 4,700 megawatts of renewable electricity.

“The FIT program is helping to increase the role of renewable energy supply in Ontario. In fact, by 2018, hydroelectric resources will reach 9,000 megawatts, and wind, solar and bio-energy resources will amount to about 10,700 megawatts.”

It’s important, Butler says, for the public to become informed and educated on how the electricity system works.

“Many people flick the switch and have no idea how much money and enterprise it takes to get it there,” she says. “While government policy will play a role in charting the direction, the laws of physics, supply and demand, and cost and value will ultimately rule.  It is also important to try to change our behaviours to take conservation of energy seriously.”

Moving forward at OPA, Butler says there are four areas she would like to focus on:

• For large projects, procurement initiatives that allow the best of the competitive process to come through – private sector innovation and creative solutions, efficient risk allocation and sharing, and drive to provide solutions at competitive prices;
• Leverage the success of the standard offer programs like the FIT model for micro to smaller projects to remove barriers to entry and allow new and less-experienced participants, as well as more community and aboriginal based power, an opportunity to participate as energy producers;
• Better integration between new facility and building development, and energy production. For a new factory, campus or social housing development, that may mean solar panels on a purpose-designed roof, or even small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) or cogeneration where the heat is used to support a business process;
• Taking another look at storage and finding cost-effective and innovative ways to use it.

Being recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices is important to her, she says.

“I have 34 years of experience in many facets of the energy business and using that experience to support greener and cleaner aspects of the business links it all together,” she says. “I think we all have a responsibility to take care of the planet for future generations.

“We need to take an active role in managing our energy use to hopefully conserve and lower our electricity consumption. There is room for a wide range of technologies to support our appetite for energy, and finding the appropriate circumstances to economically use them is a high priority.”

The Fab Four at Direct Energy 

Dynamic Women with Account Management Team Offer Decades of Expertise

They are known throughout the construction industry as movers and shakers who greet clients with smiles and warm handshakes.

These dynamic women of the Direct Energy Builder Group – Laura Bonise, Sue Cerilli, Linda Oliveri and Carole Solway – bring decades of experience and expertise to the table, and have hundreds of clients to attest to their value and effectiveness.

From actively developing professional relationships with builders through various events to working behind the scenes on homebuilder association committees, they help builders and contractors select the right water heating and hydronic equipment, and offer product training when needed.
They pay attention to details, and remain involved throughout the building process; from design, to delivery, to after-care service.

And they attend conferences and training to ensure they are the building code experts on which others can rely.

As the building code continues to change and more savvy consumers are looking to reduce their environmental footprint, building practices are evolving at a quick pace.  Builders are following new code requirements for homes built to a higher standard.  Mechanical contractors and energy evaluators are trying to calculate the impact of tighter envelopes and select the correct new equipment.  It all places demands on architects and builders to understand how different mechanical configurations affect home design and the building process.

With these new technologies emerging, the question becomes how to select the water heater that is best suited for each new home.  In the middle of this ongoing transformation, the building industry works with this team of four energetic women from the Direct Energy Builder Group.

These Account Managers assist the builder in the selection of the most appropriate type of water heater to meet their energy requirements:

Laura Bonise

Quietly confident, Laura Bonise of Oakville, Ontario is among the leading specialists in the area of power vent tanks, tankless water heaters and boiler systems to accommodate combo-heating applications.

With over 33 years of experience at Direct Energy, the knowledge she has acquired is of great value to builders, architects, mechanical and general contractors.  Bonise assists her clients with product selection, training and technical support and brings a great deal of credibility to the table.

As with many accomplished people, her outside achievements are truly impressive.  She is a founding member of Women In Construction (WINC), a non-profit organization of professional women who help communities and individuals in crisis.  Among many great projects, WINC has refurbished a Toronto Youth Centre, raised money for and built numerous homes with Habitat for Humanity and renovated the offices of New Beginnings, a women’s support organization.

Last year Bonise travelled with colleague, Sue Cerilli, to the Dominican Republic to participate in the building of six homes for impoverished families.  Laura Bonise not only talks the talk, but walks the walk, when it comes to improving our world and the environment we live in.

Sue Cerilli

Sue Cerilli of Innisfil, Ontario admits that because Direct Energy Account Managers have home-based offices, for the past 10 years she has worked a little more than she should.

“The building industry is constantly changing, and we work with our clients to adapt to the forever changing Building Code and Energy Star requirements” she says.

She works closely with builders, mechanical engineers, heating contractors and energy consultants reviewing proposals during construction planning.

Despite her dedication, Cerilli still finds the time and energy for family fun, camping, hiking, building houses for charity (see previous section), chairing community projects, and serving as Secretary-Treasurer for the Canadian Home Builders Association of Simcoe County.  She even opens her door and listens patiently to the pitch of the occasional door-to-door salesman – like the time a competitor tried to persuade her to change her water heater, while her Direct Energy branded vehicle sat a few feet away in the driveway.

Linda Oliveri 

“We try to be as environmentally responsible as we possibly can”, says Linda Oliveri of her small family (husband, Dominic, and Bianca, a Maltese poodle) in Ottawa, Ontario.  “Turning down the thermostat, composting, growing our own food organically, using energy-efficient lightbulbs – simple steps can really add up to reducing our overall environmental footprint.”

And in her work, she helps smooth the pathway for builders using greener technologies.
“With the transition to more energy efficient products, such as tankless water heaters and condensing products, builders have been required to rethink the standard mechanical system,” says the 10-year Direct Energy veteran.  “There are special factors to consider, such as changes in venting requirements, clearances for both the products themselves and their terminations, condensate drains, etc.  This has caused several builders to revamp their mechanical rooms and vent system designs in order to comply with new installation requirements.”

Like her colleagues, Oliveri’s commitment extends beyond her corporate responsibilities.  She serves on the Green Committee for the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association, as well as the Housing Design Awards Committee, the Sales & Marketing Committee, Habitat for Humanity’s Steel Toes & Stilettos Fundraiser Gala Committee, and has won several awards for her dedication to the construction industry.

Carole Solway

Carole Solway of Toronto typifies the boundless energy of the dynamic team at Direct Energy.  She handles numerous accounts and encourages her builders to involve Direct Energy early in the planning process.  When technologies and building standards evolve, communication is critical between suppliers and builders.

“The increase in higher density homes means smaller mechanical rooms and fewer options for builders.  Tankless units are becoming more popular, but require more discussion and on-site meetings with the builder and their trades.”

Solway’s inclusive approach ensures appropriate product selection and installation for her builders.  Solway previously worked for a large builder, and has 19 years of service at Direct Energy.  Her knowledge helps with guiding builders in their selection of energy efficient products.

Always available to her builders, Solway says “I am passionate about the building industry and appreciate the opportunity to be involved in this exciting environment.”

She enjoys spending time with family, watching films, spinning, and practicing yoga.  Solway is also a serious adventure traveller.  This year she will visit Vietnam, and spent two weeks in Peru climbing for more than three days to Machu Picchu.

Direct Energy is North America’s largest competitive energy solutions provider, with over six million residential and commercial customer relationships.  With over 60 years of experience in the area of water heaters and the largest client portfolio across Canada, Direct Energy has 1.1 million residential rental water heater customers.  Their water heater program offers builders great value and a green product offering, coupled with quality service for all rental water heater needs.  In addition to quality products, Direct Energy prides itself on having the largest residential service force to stand behind their portfolio of water heaters, including over 700 highly-trained and licensed technicians in Ontario alone. 

The Reliance Home Comfort

Go-To Team Helps Build Green

Reliance Green Building Ambassadors spend many hours working directly with builders on projects, and also on enhancing their own expertise to ensure that they continue to provide builders with the very best information. From attending training with new homebuyer customers to providing information on water heating and bundle HVAC products, ENERGY STAR and the latest building codes; builders trust them as valued partners in planning for maximum energy efficiency and home comfort. They make sure equipment meets builder requirements, and troubleshoot with them during the project development, as well as beyond the life of the project.

In addition to their strong builder relationships, experience, and the training they have taken themselves on ENERGY STAR and the Ontario Building Code, Reliance Green Building Ambassadors can call on specialized support from a team of in-house sustainability experts. They also often have strong connections with local homebuilder associations. They support builders every step of the way through the Reliance Builder Program and bundle HVAC product and service offerings.

Reliance Builder Program The Reliance Builder Program saves builders thousands of dollars in capital costs with the installation of bundle HVAC rental equipmentwhich provides builders with aa suite of innovative and space-saving green products to choose from. In addition, after the equipment is properly installed, builders know they can rely on the Reliance service team to assume post-close warranty obligations, providing peace-of-mind maintenance and guaranteed services to homeowners 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

Bundle HVAC  Builders could save thousands of dollars per residential unit and increase home marketability with ENERGY STARrated products. They can select between several models of the best brands of furnaces, air conditioners, condensing tankless water heaters, condensing storage tanks, heat recovery ventilators, air handlers and more.

Carla Agostino

Carla Agostino from Hamilton, Ontario worked on the first air handler projects back in 1991. These energy-wise alternative heating systems were extremely innovative and experimental at the time. It’s a testament to the competence and professionalism of people like Agostino that they are now commonplace. She manages keys accounts in Chatham, Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor. She is respected in the industry and an active member of the Hamilton Homebuilders Association.

Agostino is approaching 24 years of service with the company and says she turns on her phone early, “and away I go.” She starts each day at 7:00 AM, working with builders, architects and engineers to meet the needs of the growing build-green market. “ I could work easily 60 hours each week if I let myself. I don’t look at the hours, I look at getting the work done.”

When not working she is equally busy. Agostino has her career, two children, a home to take care of and a good sense of humour. She likes to go running. “Running helps reduce the daily stress.” With everything she has going on, she says, “I run a lot!”

Jennifer Hurd

Jennifer Hurd, from Oshawa, Ontario has been a Key Account Manager for Reliance Home Comfort for more than 5 years, managing Greater Toronto, Durham, Kawartha and Peterborough. She has won many awards for her service excellence and expertise, including the 2012 Outstanding Trade Person from the Durham Home Builders Association and three Reliance President’s Awards in the past four years. Hurd explains that builders have a lot on their minds and Green Building Ambassadors try to help by making sure everything goes smoothly with the building code, product specifications, ordering and delivery. “When the builder and the site supervisor realize that we know the business and are easy to work with, it leads to referrals to other builders.”

“I think Green living is important now more than ever,” says Hurd. Her thermostat is programmed to drop the temperature when no one is at home and at night. She has a tankless unit and ENERGY STAR windows and sees it as a responsibility to discuss sustainability with friends and industry colleagues. She is a strong supporter of a local homebuilder’s association, and helps plan Energy Star breakfast meetings. Hurd is also involved with organizing customer appreciation events that also raise funds for

Habitat for Humanity.

When not working she spends time with her son Aidan, who shares her passion for green living and takes charge of recycling. Hurd is a Leader with Aidan’s Cub troupe, a foodie, an outdoors person and an Oshawa Generals fan. She just renovated a bathroom and is now turning her attention to an ensuite, using low VOC paints, of course.

Reliance Green Building Ambassadors are well known and respected by Ontario home builders. As one of the largest rental water heating & HVAC companies in Canada, Reliance Home Comfort proudly depends on these very capable Green Building Ambassadors, as well as their head office green support specialists, to help builders save thousands of dollars in capital costs and receive the timely information they need to build comfortable, sustainable homes.

Going the extra mile at Enbridge after the work day is done

For the women working in the green building sectors for Enbridge, their commitment goes well beyond the standard job descriptions.
Most noticeably, they are recognized for passionately embracing community endeavours along the way.
“A great number of us are involved with many community/volunteered-based organizations,” says Mary Harinck, Energy Advisor, Commercial New Construction, at Enbridge.
She pointed to the group called Women in Construction (WINC), which is a non-profit organization of professional women that serves communities and individuals who are in need of help or in crisis.
Part of WINC’s mandate focuses on the unique strengths, network and resources that allows them to  deliver solutions that transform environments to enrich and better the lives of those in need, thereby creating positive change.
“But there are many other outreach programs,” Harinck continued, “including Habitat for Humanity, board and committee involvement with home builders’ associations, Ride for Cancer and Big Sisters.”
As a result, there is a definite work/volunteer overlap, which creates an ongoing synergy with communities.
“These women at Enbridge are continuously contacted to help builders with any concerns or questions that may arise during their building process regarding the gas utility,” Harinck says.

For more than 15 years, Harinck says, Enbridge Gas Distribution has been actively promoting a portfolio of energy efficiency programs to help its customers save energy and money.
“Together, we’ve implemented energy savings that have allowed us to avoid producing 9.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, and have saved 5.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas.”

And that is all part of a dedicated corporate strategy. According to the company’s website, Enbridge has become a leader in the safe and reliable delivery of energy in North America and is proud to be recognized as one of the global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world.
“We generate energy, expanding our interests in renewable and green energy technologies,” the website says, “including wind and solar energy, geothermal and hybrid fuel cells.”
Both Harinck and Shannon Bertuzzi, Sales Manager, Residential Energy Solutions, at Enbridge, point out there are also many programs to assist builders with homes and making the buildings more energy efficient.
“We’re here to give you the resources you need,” says Bertuzzi. “More than ever, homebuyers are looking to builders to provide them with innovative, energy-saving solutions.
“That’s why we’re here to offer builders innovative programs and services that can help the homeowners save energy and money.”
One example is the Enbridge Drain Water Heat Recovery (DWHR) program.
“Forward-thinking home builders are equipping homeowners with a DWHR unit, which is an increasingly popular cutting-edge technology that helps reduce hot water waste,” explained Bertuzzi. “Valued at over $600, installing a DWHR unit will help new homeowners save on water heating costs. The unit is easy to install, maintenance-free, cost effective and proven and practical.”
Most recently, Enbridge has been introducing a new Savings by Design program, for both commercial and residential sectors; an initiative geared to more than routine energy efficiency.
“The objective is to achieve 25 per cent greater energy savings than current Ontario Building Code standards through an integrated design process,” Bertuzzi says. “We target not only energy savings but also the environmental impact.”

Its Integrated Design Process (IDP) involves the building owners and their design team working together at the outset of the building’s design phase, to identify the optimal mix of design elements and technologies to maximize environmental performance.

Before any design iteration is finalized, Enbridge will enlist energy modeling experts to estimate the potential natural gas and electricity savings.

“Maximizing the energy efficiency of your new buildings starts with the design,” says Harinck. “That’s where Enbridge comes in. We developed the Savings by Design program to help commercial builders and design and construct high performance buildings – without sacrificing style, service or comfort. Better for the environment. Better overall performance. Better for their bottom line.”
Subject to specified conditions, financial and performance incentives for the construction process will be available for participants in the Savings by Design program.
In the commercial area, there can be incentives and support for the three primary stages of the construction process.

“We will work with builders during the design, development and commissioning of the building, to help ensure the project meets its energy performance targets,” Harinck say.

In the residential area, there can be incentives for the two primary stages of the construction process.
“We will work with you during the design and development of your new homes,” says Bertuzzi. “And, like the commercial program, we help ensure your project also meets the energy performance standards.

“Savings by Design provides an opportunity for the developer/builder to obtain expert information and to explore options that are simple and profitable to their bottom line.”
And there are many qualified “women in green” waiting in the wings at Enbridge to help make that happen.

Sarah Hall:  Stained Glass & Solar Projects

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto conducts bus tours and walking tours of nearby art and architecture. One of these easily outsells all the others, a bus adventure dedicated to stained glass windows and architecture. You might expect the tour’s destinations to be traditional stained glass in churches and cathedrals. In fact, the bus just as often stops at contemporary new buildings with stained glass designs by Sarah Hall. Sometimes the special guest tour narrator on the bus is also Sarah Hall. You may ask what’s new in stained glass? The answer is that there is plenty that’s new, especially if it involves Sarah Hall.

Hall became interested in stained glass at a young age and discovered that it is a very small world, especially in Canada. In order to find in-depth training in the field she journeyed to Swansea College of Art in Wales. She returned and established a studio on Dupont Street in Toronto in 1980, where she and her craftspeople worked for two decades, introducing new ideas in a conservative field. She was interested in combining new building technologies with stained glass.

German Engineering

Around the turn of the century she became involved in projects that required her to relocate her fabrication studio to Paderborn near Hanover, Germany. In Germany she could access a larger pool of glass artisans and large size kilns for the ideas she was hatching. In addition, the stained glass industry in Germany has connections with the broader glass industry, allowing for ambitious product development. New ideas include stained glass windows that could be sent to Austria and tempered, as in safety glass; new kinds of glass that could combine art with heat mirror technology, as in R20 insulated office tower windows; and last but not least, stained glass projects that incorporate solar photovoltaics.

Christof Erban is a renowned German engineer who pioneered the concept of placing a solar PV cell between two layers of glass. Many years ago he visited glass painting studios in Germany looking for artists who were interested in working with photovoltaics. While others focused on the challenges, Hall jumped at the chance. The rest is history. Hall’s studio is now at the forefront of contemporary stained glass architecture.  Since moving the studio abroad, her Canadian/German team has been involved in more than 200 projects.

Harbourfront Waterglass Project

Sarah has recently completed a project called Waterglass at Harbourfront Centre’s Enwave Theatre, which is expected to open to the public in Spring. The glass is highly artistic, incorporates heat mirror technology, employs NASA’s dichroic glass technique (sandblasted on its back side and laminated so that it is transparent but also highly reflective of UV rays) and on the western exposure, as directed by engineers, includes photovoltaics to capture solar energy.

Her team of six technicians created 1700 square feet of a handmade art glass in just three months. It was crafted in the German studio, sent to Austria for heat mirror and photovoltaic laminations and arrived in Toronto ready to install in thermo-panel units.

In addition to being a technical marvel, the installation is an artistic and historic gem.

“The client wanted to symbolically reclaim the lake for Torontonians,” says Hall. “We are cut off in a lot of ways and have not built the lake into our thinking as a city.” At first glance visitors will see water, waves, and the silhouette of a ship. On closer inspection they will find much more.

Hall researched and photographed the lake’s north shore for months and then began researching images of people, locations and events. The windows contain hundreds of silk-screened archival illustrations of personalities such as swimmer Marilyn Bell, rower Ned Hanlan, structures like the art deco Sunnyside Swimming Pool Pavilion, and R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant; events including the war of 1812, pandemics, celebrations, political events and families simply enjoying the lake. “The research experience was very instructive,” says Hall. “Much of our waterfront is privatized or otherwise inaccessible. We need to open up the lake to our consciousness, in order to care more about it.”

Wind Tower at UBC

Hall’s team also created beautiful glass for a wind tower or wind catcher at the University of British Columbia. Wind catchers are traditional Persian architectural elements used to generate natural ventilation in buildings. Hall’s stained glass is the central element of a wind tower that completed an underground library at the university’s Regent College. The forty-foot tall wind tower provides ventilation for the library and is a functional symbol of Regent’s commitment to renewable energy. Hall created a luminous column of light, flowing like a waterfall in silvery blue, violet and white. Included in this column is an array of solar cells that collect energy during the day and use it for nighttime illumination – acting as a beacon for the surrounding park.

A similar concept was used for the Grass Valley School in Washington. The architect was interested in a sustainable initiative and felt that not enough educational value would result from simply adding solar panels to the roof. Hall created a beautiful artistic glass window for the main stairwell that included PV cells. These were connected directly without inverter or batteries, to a large LED lighting fixture in the main hall. Students soon saw that the fixture was powered only by the sun, glowing brighter and longer on the sunniest days.

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High Potential New Solar Cladding

Perhaps the most exciting concept that Hall’s team is working on is a brand new type of solar glass cladding for retail stores and office buildings. Her other projects involving solar have been primarily symbolic or educational, rather than highly efficient in terms of electricity generation. The new product, being developed in partnership with a prominent Toronto architect, aims to change that and collect significant amounts of energy. At the same time it will create artistic canvasses of larger expanses, or entire exteriors of shops or towers, according to client preferences.

Subject matter will range from highly artistic to commercial in nature, all rendered beautifully in contemporary glass by a very leading edge artist named Sarah Hall.

See more solar projects at  www.SarahHallStudio.com

Condominiums meet the needs of today’s bottom-line customer

For Barbara Lawlor, President of Toronto’s Baker Real Estate, the concept of embracing “green” has seen a boom to her business. In fact, the entire condominium industry has developed a consciousness about energy efficiency and green sustainability.

The industry has created an environment that is environmentally responsible, and it has become a key design element in condominiums buildings. Condo ownership has never seen better days.

“In the last three years condominium sales have outpaced low-rise and have taken over 50% of the market – so as a lifestyle choice, it continues to grow, and part of that is the government mandate for vertical growth,” explains Lawlor.  “Let’s face it, there just isn’t enough land within the GTA to meet the low-rise demand, so the best use of space is vertical, and condominiums are becoming more popular. Even young families are venturing into condos because of their convenience, location, transit etc.  And let’s not forget those in transition, like empty nesters and young professionals, who don’t want to deal with upkeep. People lead very busy lives, so the more they can have their needs catered to, the better. In fact, most condo buildings today are like coming home to a luxury hotel, with all the amenities offered under your roof.”

However, the driving force at the end of the day is the bottom line. Educated homeowners have demanded the building industry include energy efficiencies.

“People are afraid of costs escalating. So energy efficiency is part of their checklist.  For example, they really appreciate something like individual metering systems. Whatever will make the buildings more efficient and help defray costs, that’s the key for everybody – what’s it going to cost me?”

Ten years ago, energy efficiency and sustainable living may have been a part of the conversation but the uptake was slow. It wasn’t something that translated across the industry as a whole. “But the industry has stood up and deserves a round of applause in my mind for the tremendous efforts and strides it has made,”says Lawlor. “For instance, we represent the residences of the Ritz Carlton, and they have the Enwave deep water cooling system, which is very innovative and taps into the deep waters of Lake Ontario to heat and cool the building. So there are some very exciting things happening in the city including car sharing, bicycle storage — all of this to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. In fact we’re selling fewer and fewer parking spaces.”

In Lawlor’s mind, it’s not about green-washing today’s consumer. There has to be a solid green story regardless of where you’re building or what you’re building.

“Buyers are sophisticated, and they want to know that their building is going to be sustainable and function efficiently 10-20 years from now- not just today.”

Baker Real Estate Incorporated

www.bakersales.info