With the bunting coming down and the chaos of a general election over, we look to see what lay ahead for the country. What does the future hold for America. One thing is clear, we will have a new president that insists that cutting back on energy consumption is a primary goal of his administration. And while California got some things wrong on Tuesday, they have done one thing right recently, and this right could be a model for transition for the rest of the country.
In July, the California Building Standards Commission adopted a Green Building Standards Code. This code is intended to make buildings more efficient and reduce energy and water consumption. It is slated to go into effect in early 2009 and will target new construction statewide. While the first year or so of its implementation is voluntary, it is expected to become mandatory the following year. This is a smart idea. Six months to see what the standards are, and a year to fully implement them into all future building. Statewide mandates have never been adopted before, and will set the tone for the rest of America.
If you want to read the entire code, you can go here, and check it out. This is a big document, but I will touch on some of the highlights. They mirror many of the credit sections set up by the USGBC (united States Green Building Council) for LEED.
Planning and Design: Buildings are going to have to be built in a way that is sensitive to the environment both where and how they are built. This will have an impact on what is next door as well-adjacent properties are often affected by new construction, but largely ignored.
Energy Efficiency: New buildings are expected to achieve reductions in consumption beyond the current building code. Taken into account are Energy Star appliances, shading and design of buildings, and commissioning of systems.
Water Conservation: Stricter guidelines for fixtures and appliances that consume water mean efficiency for dishwashers and washers. (Can we finally say good bye to inefficient top loading washers?) New guidelines for irrigation and potable (drinkable) water use will mean less water use for lawns and landscaping-a big deal for parts of the state that are built in what was once a desert.
Material Conservation: A new guideline has been set for use of recycled and reused materials, as well as the diversion of construction waste from landfills. In addition, buildings will have to be designed to make maximum use of minimal materials, both during construction and during maintenance. Most exciting to me is the addition of life cycle analysis. Buildings are going to have to be built that last and last well-a priority for the next stage of LEED.
Environmental Quality: This is a big step forward for air quality. New standards will be set for air quality of not just builders, but future occupants and the environment. This could finally be the end for smelly, formaldehyde laden carpets and furniture.
I am excited that California has taken this big step forward. It is a BIG state and these changes could have BIG impacts on our nations energy use. These changes are long overdue. California is buying much of its water and electricity from neighboring states. Any reductions they make can impact the entire region, and thus the country. In addition, they are paving the way for the rest of America to make the changes we need to become a global leader in energy reduction.
