[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: GBlist: Below Grade EPS (was re: Recycled XPS)




In a message dated 4/22/97 6:45:17 AM, you wrote:

<<Which brings me to a short rant - I have become increasingly suspicious of
"consensus standards" coming out of organizations like ASTM and ASHRAE.  It
seems as though any party with enough bucks loads up the committee to make
certain their interests are represented.  So what is held forth as a "best of
our knowledge" document is really just a lowest common denominator political
football.  Some of these committees sound as though they work more like the
US
Congress than a group of researchers/practitioners seeking the truth.  Bion's
post about ASTM's green building std confirm my uneasy suspicions.  And you
all
may be exhorted to "get involved" - sure, on our own time, sitting next to
the
on-the-clock rep from Philip Morris or Dupont.>>

Hi Marc,

Yep, I've spent a number of hours sitting next to
on-the-clock-sleep-pretty-good-at-night consultants for any number of
manufacturer's on ASTM committees.  I've heard the same story from members of
ASHRAE.  And when Gene Tucker was chair of 62, representing a public health
perspective, he got a congressional investigation set on him for his trouble.
 I don't regret any of those hours.  I seldom go to committee meetings
anymore.  I just make comments on the proposed standards and vote my
conscience.  Costs me about 20 hours a year.  Truth is, most standards get
put together pretty well and defensible.  However, standards like a green
building standard are different.  Any effort at making our culture more
sustainable meets with heavy resistance from manufacturers.  There is an
integral conflict.  To me sustainable means we can do it for a real long
time.  Given finite resources that means operating an economy which minimizes
mass and energy flow.  A market economy has a built-in incentive to maximize
throughput.  I recall an article in builder magazine in the 70's that said I
shouldn't put anything in a house that would last longer than the fiberglass
shingles on the roof - kinda NAHB's answer to Detroit I guess.  At heart, I'd
say that this conflict is more terrifying to manufacturer's than anything the
medical community has done to tobacco companies.  I'll leave you with two
quotes

"Having the time of your life, huh, kid?  Let me give you some advice.  Don't
screw with a man's livlihood" - Guido in Risky Business, shortly before
giving Tom Cruise the gift of experiencing the feeling of betrayal

"Life is wonderful - so much to love, so much to despise" - Edward Abbey

Terry

__________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions
send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
__________________________________________________________________