Building Codes Assistance Project

States that have building energy codes but are interested in achieving additional cost-effective energy savings, can adopt advanced codes. Policy can mandate state agencies and individuals to achieve a higher level of energy and cost savings, and lower environmental impact. A powerful strategy for reducing energy use in buildings is combining energy codes with energy rating systems. The code establishes a bare minimum for energy efficiency while the rating system encourages innovation and provides incentives for better performance.

Green Building Standards for Public Buildings

Promote High Performance Schools

Link Voluntary Programs to Code

The US Green Building Council developed guidelines to define sustainable building development known as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. It is rapidly becoming the nation's standard for designing, constructing, and certifying sustainable buildings. Many State and local green building programs are establishing LEED as a standard for construction through legislative initiatives. Implementing green building standards for city or state-funded projects ensures that future buildings will be efficient and environmentally friendly.

• Massachusetts State Senate Bill 1820 (PDF 20.8 KB) encourages the development of Green State Buildings.
• The South Carolina legislature passed House Bill 3034 (PDF 42.33 KB) requiring that all state-owned and state-funded construction greater than 10,000 ft2 and any major renovation projects of greater than fifty percent of total building space or value achieve LEED-NC Silver certification or comparable standard. With a focus on energy efficiency, the legislation specifically requires a minimum of four credits earned in Energy & Atmosphere Credit 1, "Optimize Energy Performance."
• New Mexico Executive Order 2006-001 (PDF 47 KB) requires all new state buildings and major renovations meet The 2030 Challenge's call for a 50 percent reduction in fossil-fuel energy consumption from what traditional buildings use by using a LEED based system.
• Seattle, Washington City Council Bill 115524 (PDF 494.38 KB) amended the Land Use Code to allow a developer to build at a higher density than is normally allowed under the code, so long as the developer can certify that the building will be rated LEED Silver or its equivalent. The amendment applies only to buildings in downtown commercial districts.
• The District of Columbia City Council enacted legislation (PDF 53.33 KB) requiring all new government buildings to go green. By 2012, all new buildings larger than 50,000 square feet - public or private - must conform to green standards.

States have enacted legislation that encourages the construction of high performance schools.

• Vermont House Bill 718 (PDF 21.93) requires the development of high performance school design and construction standards based on LEED.

A growing number of states have implemented voluntary programs to compliment code compliance programs.

Home Energy Rating Systems
Voluntary programs for building energy ratings, such as the Home Energy Rating Systems established by most states, encourage builders to go beyond the minimum standards set by the codes. These systems rate homes according to their energy efficiency, allowing lenders to take energy cost savings into account when underwriting mortgage loans.

• The New Mexico Legislature approved Senate Bill 0543 (PDF 76.81 KB), is a residential green building tax credit that requires a sufficient HERS rating of 60 or higher for buildings to qualify.

ENERGY STAR
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines criteria for ENERGY STAR certification of homes and commercial buildings. ENERGY STAR homes are typically 30 percent more energy efficient than a home built to the model energy codes. Stakeholders can go beyond codes and lock in greater energy savings through ENERGY STAR certification. This approach has been used in tandem with codes to ensure that equipment installed in homes is energy-efficient.

• Virginia's Executive Order 48, "Energy Efficiency in State Government" (PDF 494.98 KB), sets out to reduce non-renewable energy purchases and increase overall energy savings. As part of instituting the energy saving goals, the order instructs all state agencies and institutions constructing state-owned facilities over 5,000 gross square feet in size, and renovations of such buildings valued at 50% of the assessed building value, shall be designed and constructed consistent with the energy performance standards at least as stringent as LEED or EPA's ENERGY STAR rating. In addition, the order instructs the Commonwealth to encourage the private sector to adopt energy-efficient building standards by giving preference when leasing facilities for state use to facilities meeting LEED or ENERGY STAR.