Applying conservation practices to new and existing building was the focus of the second session of the G3 Sustainability Series Monday at the Bismarck Civic Center.

Many speakers agreed that up-front costs of installing resource conservation equipment are more expensive, but that these pay for themselves in energy savings within five to 15 years.

Randy Mathern, president of Comfort Zone Heating and Air of Bismarck, said geothermal heat runs three to four times more efficiently than other forms of energy.

Jim Tyler, principal owner of the EAPC Architect Engineers, explained the concept of sustainable design for commercial and public building.

He said a sustainable design reduces the negative impacts on resources and on building occupants' health: "We need to educate our building owners to look past the first costs and look at operating costs over the life of a building," Tyler said.

Tyler cited goals such as reducing consumption of non-renewable resources, decreasing waste and creating a healthy, productive environment. Other concerns included conserving water and improving air ventilation in buildings.

Ryan Rauschenberger, manager of Energy Development for the North Dakota Department of Commerce, noted tax incentives as high as 30 percent at the federal level and 15 percent from the state.

"The federal dollars that the state administers are often given to cities in the forms of grants and for state buildings as well," he said. He added many dollars went to energy-efficiency education.

"The North Dakota State Legislature improved the opportunities to take advantage of the 15 percent geothermal tax credit for residential (buildings) and businesses," Rauschenberger said. Eligible projects would have to start in tax year 2009, he said. More information about the tax forms and credits is available at www.energystar.gov.

Christine Bleyhl of the Minnesota GreenStar program offered some practical resource-saving options for this cold climate.

She said city building codes in general do not fully factor in the health of occupants and the environment. Building planning often doesn't factor into what we are doing to the land as a whole, she said.

"What we are talking about is rebuilding that marketplace to go above and beyond the code: 'We need to raise the bar,'" she said.

Blehyl said that homeowners can reduce their water use by 30 percent by changing habits and equipment; for example, electrical costs can drop dramatically by eliminating "phantom loads" for appliances that are plugged in but not generally in use. A more efficient toilet system, she said, can reduce a household's water use by 12,000 to 40,000 gallons per year.

"It's all about preserving precious resources, planning better; we all ought to be more concerned about how we are using resources. Don't waste," said commissioner Mike Seminary. "It's important that we manage (our resources) in the most conservative manner we can."

The next sustainability forum, "Healthy Communities," is June 23.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)