Is there a Sustainable Development Commission for Old Homes?

The United States does not have a sustainable development commission. Other countries, like the UK have the Sustainable Development Commission that helps British citizens find ways to make homes and other areas of their life more sustainable. Sustainable and sustainability are words that have been used as of late to describe a movement toward more renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprints and less reliance on fossil fuels and foreign energy sources.

Berkeley First Program

The closest thing to a sustainable development commission in the U.S. is the Berkeley F.I.R.S.T. program created by the California legislature through passage of AB-811 in July of 2008. The legislation provides incentives for homeowners in certain communities to retrofit their older homes for increased energy-efficient and the use of renewable building materials. The bill calls for a reduction of property taxes and other incentives designed to encourage residents to take advantage of the program. Participation is voluntary and not mandatory for residents in participating communities.

Likelihood of a Sustainable Development Commission

As we move toward embracing the idea that more can be done with regards to our use of natural resources and energy dependency, a sustainable development commission for old and new homes may be created, under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency or some like agency.