CALIFORNIA SETS THE EXAMPLE FOR GREEN BUILDING CODE

publication date: Sep 2, 2008

California has consistently forged the path towards green building legislation and practices. So, it is no surprise that the Golden State was the first in the nation to adopt a state-wide green building code. The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) unanimously voted in favor of new laws mandating that buildings owners and operators reduce energy use, conserve water, control erosion, recycle construction waste and improve indoor air quality.

In an official statement, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commended the decision saying, "Cars and buildings are two of the leading users of energy. We're already addressing cars and these new building standards will ensure that California remains at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources while also protecting our economy." 

The standards, which are scheduled to take effect in mid-January, cover commercial and residential construction in the public as well as private sectors, schools, universities, hospitals and all other public institutions. Adherence to the California Green Building Standards Code will be voluntary until 2010, commission leaders told GreenBiz.

Policy makers reported that producing balanced guidelines that satisfied different groups was a challenge. Rosario Marin, the Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and the chair of the California Building Standards Commission, commented that the process brought together groups with different interests and that the code "sets a floor, not a ceiling." 

Builders, cities, counties and other groups have been encouraged to exceed the standards if they can.

The Code Explained
The California Green Building Standards Code requirements will be introduced in phases over the next three years. All parts will be voluntary at first and will gradually become mandatory, starting with energy efficiency. In January of 2011, moisture control, indoor air quality and waste recycling rules will become mandatory. The following July, a 20 percent reduction in potable water use will be required.

Energy Efficiency
According to the official website, www.energy.ca.gov/greenbuilding, the basic mandate for better energy efficiency starts with the design of the building and the source of construction materials. Shade is required for all south facing windows during the hottest months as well as for east and west facing windows to reduce glare when the sun rises and sets. Building joints and openings must be sealed to prevent uncontrolled airflow. At least one percent of electric power must come from an onsite energy source such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro or biogas. For construction, building materials used for permanent installation must be manufactured in California or 500 miles from the site.

Indoor Air Quality
Improvements in indoor air quality and moisture control will be achieved by requiring every bathroom in a building to have an exhaust fan and to have high-energy exhaust filters on air duct systems. Materials used should require little or no finishing work and sealants and carpeting will be used sparingly to accommodate the lower volatile organic compound (VOC) allowances. To control moisture, vapor barriers will be required under foundation slabs and lumber will be required to be drier than 18 percent.

Waste Recycling
The new code will require that a least 50 percent of all construction materials be diverted from landfills. This will be accomplished by recycling as much as possible at the construction site and using salvaged, refurnished or recycled materials for a minimum of five percent of the total value of the building. A certain amount of materials used will also need to be able to be re-used or recycled at the end of the building's lifecycle.

Water Consumption
For reducing potable water consumption, the code focuses on changing the fixtures and the source. To cut indoor water consumption, all fixtures need to have a reduced flow rate of 20 percent. Justin Dunning, program coordinator for California Green Builder, says this will save a three-bedroom house about 10,000 gallons of water per year. Outdoor water consumption will be reduced by lessening the area of a property devoted to lawns and emphasizing naturally drought tolerant plants. Further reduction of wastewater will be achieved by using non-potable water systems for fixtures such a toilets and hoses.

Handling the New Rules
Commission representatives say that if all measures of the code are followed, every building will qualify for at least a silver LEED rating according to the standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC president and founder Rick Fedrizzi applauded California, saying in an official statement, "The LEED green building certification system helped lead the way while setting the stage for states and municipalities to strengthen local building codes. Buildings are our first, best opportunity to reduce energy use and C02 emissions and greening them must be a critical component of any policy approach that aims to fight climate change."

Turner Construction representative Michael Dean is confident that the contractor will be able to comply with all the demands of the code. "My understanding is that [the code] has tried to strike a balance with really aggressive goals for energy efficiency with achievable goals." Like many other builders in California, Turner's sustainability practices are already more stringent that the new code.

Other Trend Setters
Though California is the first to have a state-wide green building code, the movement started with individual cities and counties. This gradual bottom up progress is present in other states across the nation. In 2006, Washington, D.C., became the first major city to mandate green construction in the private sector by requiring all developments to comply with the USGBC's LEED rating system. The mandate expanded this year to include all public buildings and in 2012 it will cover the construction of private buildings of 50,000 square feet or more.

Boston adopted a zoning code in 2007 that covered not only new buildings but also renovations on existing ones. Renovation projects of more than 50,000 square feet must earn LEED certification or approval by the Boston Integrity Council, which adds historic preservation into the sustainable mix. 

New York City also requires LEED certification for all public buildings but has taken a different approach with private builders. The city now offers incentives in the form of grants to private green builders for green roofs and brownfield redevelopment. The Big Apple also has PlanNYC, developed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, which mandates strict codes for energy consumption and a goal of a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. With the proven bottom up evolution of green building codes, building leaders are confident that sustainability laws will reach the federal level.