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Tornado victims rebuild green
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: AP
Close to a year ago, deadly tornado wiped out most of the town of Greensburg, Kansas, and killed more than a dozen people.
After the storm, residents and town leaders made a decision to rebuild better and create an environmentally sustainable community.
Farrell Allison never expected to have to rebuild his life, or that he would become one of the greenest residents of Greensburg. He'll use concrete and Styrofoam blocks for better insulation, strategically placed windows to cut electrical lighting needs, and a geothermal heat and cooling system. Until last May, he already had his dream home. One of the largest tornados in U.S. history destroyed the Allison’s home, along with most of the town.
More than two thirds of the 1,400 residents were left homeless. Nearly every business was wiped out. City administrator Steve Hewitt said, "I can't have my old Greensburg back. It's gone." So officials asked why not build it completely different. After the tornado, city leaders made the decision to rebuild all the city's buildings at leed platinum standards. That's the highest level of certification for building green.
Daniel Wallach of Greensburg GreenTown said, "We're shooting to make it the greenest town in America." They'll use wind, solar and biofuel. National Renewable Energy Lab consultants are helping residents build homes up to 50% more energy efficient than their old homes.
BTI Greensburg, will also be a certified leed platinum building. The greenest John Deere dealership in the world, powered by wind, using floor hydronic heat that relies on waste oil and corn fuel.
