July 29, 2011
Joseph Schaffer, PE,
Green Environmental Associates, Metuchen, NJ
What did your life look like before you started Green Environmental Associates?
Prior to deciding to work for myself, I was doing site civil engineering for commercial developers, projects like big box retail and mega subdivisions. My work has always revolved around design and engineering in land development. This type of work requires the ability to balance hardcore science and site specific conditions in the field with fuzzier disciplines, like urban planning theory, construction tolerance, and environmental concerns.
Describe your “Eureka!” moment that shaped your decision to start your own company.
To make a real impact, I believe that a professional must really understand the existing approach to development and work to change that approach from the inside the system. However, that desire for change must be integrated into the mission of the company. I met my business partners while working on a corporate advisory board and we found that common ground. So we started Green Environmental Associates to reflect a mission of bringing change from the inside. We’re not just consultants, but partners in shaping our client’s future.
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November 6, 2010
Back in September, the City Council passed five more bills based on recommendations from the
Green Codes Task Force – 12 bills from this report have now been passed. This most recent package has been sent to the mayor for his signature.
First, four of the bills improve lighting efficiency in the in a very straight-forward, rational way. These policy changes simply allow building managers and developers to utilize more energy efficient lighting strategies (or to just let the lights go off) as existing law did not permit it.
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June 11, 2010
On June 9, 2010 the City Council released nine bills, accomplishing a milestone towards greener building construction and retrofitting, geared towards water and lighting energy conservation and efficiency. This effort has been led by the NYC Green Codes Task Force, initiated by Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn. The taskforce is charged with changing the building code to tackle urban environmental issues on a larger scale. Here are short summaries from New York City Council, with links to the draft bill text.
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