NESEA Must Set the Standard...

Bob Tortorice, Building Alternatives

02/03/2009

Name: Bob Tortorice
Business: Building Alternatives Inc.
Position: Owner, CEO
NESEA member since: 2006
Website: www.buildingalternatives.com

Business description: Consultant, construction management, and general contractor building high energy efficient homes, utilizing the technologies of passive and active solar, and geo-thermal energy for heat, hot water and air-conditioning, as well as wind power.

How do you define sustainability?
Three ways: The quality of construction, products, and workmanship; the use of low maintenance materials; and building high energy efficient homes that keep renewable energy generated on site in the house.

What project are you most proud of?
A house built on a mountainside in Franconia, New Hampshire. Even with the thermometer reading well below zero, and the thermostat set to 65 degrees, the sun warmed the house to 72 degrees.

What energy advice do you have for the new president?
Mandate that all new homes built must meet the energy star requirements. Maintain or increase tax credits and rebates for new and energy renovation of existing homes.

What's the public's biggest misunderstanding regarding sustainable energy systems?
The salesman that sell the products. Since they only sell "red cars" then red cars are the best solution for your needs.

What prompted you to join NESEA?
I wanted to put my support behind others that are on the same belief train that I am.

What's the most irritating example of "greenwashing" you can think of?
It's all over the place -- "If you think you're green, then you're green"

Parting shot ...
Companies and organizations like NESEA must set the standard and must get the word out that there are green products and builders as well as companies that are "green contributors." They add value to a green project, but in themselves they may not be "green companies".

** caption to photograph:
Bob and Kathe Tortorice