Name ______Core ______Date ______Going Green rebuilt. The town's single traffic light has been replaced. Homes and businesses are being rebuilt, too, but not in the usual way. Returning homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to think "green" and use more energy-efficient technologies as they rebuild. "I would never say the tornado happening was a good thing. I would never wish that on anybody," said Kim Alderfer, assistant city manager. "But given the opportunity, we have to do it right, to make it better." About 40 homes in Greensburg have already been built to environmentally friendly standards. They have added insulation, double-pane windows, and high- GREENSBURG, Kansas A year after it was practically efficiency lights. Some buildings have extra-large, south- destroyed by a tornado, Greensburg, Kansas, is rising facing windows for extra light and heat from sunlight. again. It's going green, too, with solar panels, wind Many returning homeowners are also using recycled turbines, tinted windows, water-saving toilets, and other materials, including lumber and bricks salvaged from the energy-efficient technology. Environmentalists and civic twister. Builders are installing energy-saving lights, leaders have seized on the disaster as a once-in-a- rainwater collection systems, and water-efficient faucets, lifetime opportunity to re-engineer the town. Now, new showerheads, toilets, and appliances. A few homes will houses and buildings are being built with the planet in also have solar panels to provide power. mind. In addition, the John Deere farm equipment On May 4, 2007, a ferocious twister hit dealership has put up a wind turbine. The town's brand- Greensburg. It flattened many of the town's early 20th- new arts center has one, too. And the town government century brick buildings, as well as its Victorian and has resolved to construct public buildings that meet the prairie-style houses. The twister was nearly two miles strict LEED Platinum standards for energy-efficient wide with winds up to 318 miles per hour. In all, 95 design. LEED Platinum buildings cost about 5 percent percent of the town's homes and businesses were more to construct. But they generally save 30 to 50 destroyed. percent on energy bills. Since the storm, about half the stricken town's Greensburg resident Kathy Doherty, 53, recently residents have yet to come back. Vital local businesses, moved into her newly built house. She and her husband such as a full-service grocery store, have not returned. rebuilt their house with an efficient hot water heater and Jobs are scarce. But Greensburg is showing signs of life. insulation to cut their energy costs. The water tower has been Many rebuilding homeowners are also bracing U.S. The town has already received national attention. for the next big storm by installing tornado-fortified News crews have broadcast live from Greensburg. The walls and underground storm shelters. PlanetGreen network created a TV series about the town. "You don't experience a storm like this and come President Bush delivered the high school commencement out of it with an attitude of [calm]," said Daniel Wallach. address. "Greensburg, Kansas, is back and its best days Wallach is executive director of Greensburg GreenTown. are ahead," said President Bush. GreenTown is a nonprofit group that is providing "It will be a stronger, better, greener community," townspeople with technical assistance, a library of said Erica Goodman, a newly elected city materials, classes, and other help in rebuilding in an councilwoman. "I think the green [effort] is really what environmentally friendly way. will set Greensburg apart from every other rural Town leaders hope that Greensburg's green community in the United States." efforts will serve as a model for rural towns across the

Update

Going green has not only made the town of Greensburg, Kansas, friendlier to the environment; it has also made it cooler, according to readers of Budget Travel magazine. Greensburg has been voted the 10th coolest small town in America. Readers nominated 80 towns for the distinction. The magazine then picked 20 finalists, and readers voted among them for the winner. Budget Travel, which has been putting together a list of coolest towns every year for the last five years, will not accept just any town as a nominee. Selections must have a population of fewer than 10,000 people. They must also be on the upswing, meaning that there's something about the town that is drawing attention and contributing to the town's success. In some towns, this means having great restaurants or theaters. Whatever makes a town cool, Budget Travel says, it's got to be something modern—something that will likely lead to a bright future. Greensburg, with its environmentally friendly buildings, certainly seems to fit that description

Dictionary complacency (noun) a feeling of quiet pleasure or security

stricken (adjective) deeply or very badly affected by something such as grief, misfortune, or trouble

effort (noun) work needed to get something done

energy-efficient (adjective) energy-saving; using as little energy as possible Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)

1. According to the article, why has the town of Greensburg C. Greensburg, Kansas, is encouraging homes resolved to meet LEED Platinum standards when it builds and businesses to rebuild "green" after being hit public buildings? by a powerful tornado. A. LEED Platinum buildings will save 30 to D. In Greensburg, Kansas, a woman named 50 percent on energy bills. Erica Goodman has been elected to serve on the B. LEED Platinum buildings require less city council. insulation than regular buildings. 3. Based on information in the article, which of these must C. LEED Platinum buildings are more have happened last? attractive than regular buildings. A. Residents began to think "green" as they D. LEED Platinum buildings are known to rebuilt their homes in Greensburg, Kansas. survive most tornadoes. B. A twister flattened many 20th-century 2. What is this article mainly about? brick buildings in Greensburg, Kansas. A. In Greensburg, Kansas, a nonprofit C. The full-service grocery store was closed organization is helping residents get by after being down in Greensburg, Kansas hit by a powerful tornado. D. Kathy Doherty and her husband moved B. Greensburg, Kansas, has been visited by into their rebuilt home in Greensburg, Kansas. news crews, a television network, and the president of the United States. 4. Which is the closest antonym for the word fortified? A. Wondrous C. Greensburg, Kansas, should be considered B. Weakened a role model by other rural towns. C. Consumed D. Greensburg once had a larger number of D. Contagious brick buildings and prairie-style houses. 5. The author probably wrote this article in order to 7. The news article states: On May 4, 2007, a ferocious ______. twister hit Greensburg. It flattened many of the town's A. Convince the reader that it is essential that early 20th-century brick buildings, as well as its all new buildings are built "green" Victorian and prairie-style houses. . . . In all, 95 percent B. Describe efforts to rebuild a tornado- of the town's homes and businesses were destroyed. flattened town in an environmentally friendly way Which would be the closest synonym for the word C. Describe the typical effects of a twister ferocious? with winds up to 318 miles per hour A. Savage D. Compare the energy savings of B. Scenic Greensburg's original and rebuilt public buildings C. Shrewd D. Serial 6. Which of these is a statement of opinion? 8. Think about the tornado in Greensburg. Which A. Greensburg town leaders say they want information is not in the article? new homes to use more energy-efficient A. The width of the tornado technology. B. The tornado's effect on the town B. Greensburg, Kansas, is the subject of a TV C. The wind speed of the tornado show on the PlanetGreen network. D. The number of houses destroyed

Opinion Question: Now that you have read the article suppose you were building a home in your town. How would you design it? (5 points)

Thought Question: Write a summary of today's article. (5 points) Math- In 2007, a tornado hit Greensburg, Kansas. The winds reached up to 318 miles an hour. An airplane flies 532 miles an hour. How much faster is the airplane than the winds from the storm? (2 points)