CALIFORNIA'S NEW GREEN BUILDING CODE

This is the first in the nation and a good step forward into sustainability. Now if they would only mandate the use of native/edible plants. Hopefully someday! California's governor today announced the California Building Standards Commission unanimously adopted the first in the nation mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. This does not go info effect until January 1, 2011.

Info taken from official site...

"CALGREEN will require that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials. It also requires separate water meters for nonresidential buildings’ indoor and outdoor water use, with a requirement for moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects and mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, air conditioner and mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings over 10,000 square feet to ensure that all are working at their maximum capacity and according to their design efficiencies. 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."

Click Here for the full press release.