The Sunday New York Times columnist, Thomas L. Friedman, well-known for his books The World is Flat, and, Hot, Flat and Crowded, is a notorious proponent of green practices. In a recent article, Mother Nature’s Dow, Friedman quotes Hal Harvey, CEO of the foundation ClimateWorks , who states that there are 5 key elements that will ensure the planet is on a forward trajectory in the fight against carbon emissions. The first element Harvey lists is building codes, and he cites California’s Green Building Codes as an example.
As discussed in a previous blog article here, California’s Green Building Codes are currently voluntary, but have been praised as a positive step and an example for other states to emulate. Currently, the Building Standards Commission (“BSC”) is working on a subsequent version of the code that will be mandatory. The codes have been well-received by most Californians, however, some groups would like to see significant changes prior to enactment of the mandatory version. One of these groups is the Northern California Chapter of the US Green Building Council. As a member of the green codes committee, I have been assisting the NCC in their efforts to provide input and recommendations to the BSC during the ongoing drafting process. Currently, the green building code is a separate section of the building code, however, because green building techniques need to be implemented throughout an entire building, the NCC USGBC’s position is that the green codes should eventually be integrated into all sections of the building code. The group also wants the code to include language that clearly states that it is only setting a floor for green building measures; local cities and towns are not restricted from enacting more stringent legislation. Additionally, to avoid any perception that mere compliance with the code will result in a green building, they suggest changing the name to the Environmental Standards Code.
Another concerned group, the NRDC, recently sponsored legislation, AB 828, that parallels some of the items the NCC USGBC is advocating. The bill also seeks to require more input of other state agencies in the drafting process, such as the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
Be sure to check back with this blog to stay updated on these efforts and the final version of the regulations. And if you are highly interested in the codes, or if you have ideas to impart to the BSC, attend one of their open meetings, typically announced on the events page of the BSC website.
April 11, 2009 at 5:35 pm
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April 12, 2009 at 6:47 am
I think it is great that California is trying to code green building. The only problem that I have is that at the end of the day “Green Building” isn’t anything special in and of itself. It really is simply better design and a broader set of building criteria. Previously, buildings were built for two primary criteria: Lowest First Cost and Capability. Now we are adding societal and planetary impact to the design criteria. Buildings that use less resources, that are healthier, that have more natural light simply better buildings.
By the way, I love Thomas Friedman and saw him speak a few weeks ago. He packed a 500 person auditorium. What’s amazing is that with all of the interest in Thomas Friedman and the intellectual aspects of sustainability, that more practical implementation of sustainable building principles isn’t happening faster. I guess that the building industry is too conservative for rapid change.
April 12, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for your comment Jon. I agree with your first paragraph, utilizing techniques that make a building green should be just as important as making a building structurally sound. When people begin to catch on to the fact that greener buildings are even more affordable in the long run, it will become the norm. Yes, although it does seem that the building sector has been slow to catch on, with someone like Friedman mentioning the import of greening this sector, I think that is a sign it has finally hitting the mainstream.