Governor Schwarzenegger has announced that the California Building Standards Commission has approved the first-in-the-nation statewide mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The new building code will take effect in January 1, 2011. Governor Schwarzenegger said that “The code will help us meet our 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.”
CALGREEN requires that every new building constructed in California must be designed to
- reduce water consumption by 20 percent
- divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills
- install low pollutant-emitting materials
- install separate water meters for nonresidential buildings’ indoor and outdoor water use
- install moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects
- require mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, air conditioner and mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings over 10,000 square feet
The California Air Resources Board estimates that the mandatory provisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) by 3 million metric tons equivalent in 2020. Thanks to Terry Bennett for pointing me to this.
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