First in the Nation: California Statewide Green Building Standards Code
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 11:39 PM
Released on January 12, 2010 by Governor Schwarzenegger's Office: the building standards commission unanimously passed the mandatory green building code, CALGREEN, effective Jan. 1, 2011 for all new buildings in the state.
The code is aimed to help meet the goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promotes the development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
1. Must reduce water consumption by 20%
2. Must divert 50% of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials.
3. Requires separate water meters for non-residential buildings' indoor and outdoor water use.
4. Mandatory moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects.
5. Mandatory inspections of energy systems for buildings over 10k Square Feet.
BENEFITS:
- Reduction in California Green house gas emissions by 3 Million metric tons by 2020 (estimated)
- Ability for property owners to label their buildings CALGREEN compliant, without using costly 3rd party certification programs
For more information on the program visit the standards commission website at: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/default.htm
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