Green Building and LEED State Regulatory Developments
In recent years, state regulatory agencies have begun to develop green building standards and enforcement initiatives in efforts to maximize energy efficiency. These efforts range from amending state energy codes to include green building standards, to introducing tax incentives for green building construction by private builders. Many state regulatory agencies are working closely with the U.S. Green Building Council to comply with the requirements of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. These states, which include California and Nevada, are currently developing and streamlining the technical components of their green building regulations. Other state regulatory agencies, such as those in Florida and South Carolina, have taken a broader approach to promoting green building. These states aim to fuel public involvement in current and future green building initiatives through statewide educational and public awareness campaigns.
Green building is encompassed under the primary goal of maximizing energy efficiency. Reflective of a broad regulatory trend, each state has taken measures to develop and enforce energy efficiency standards in the form of state laws and state regulations. State regulatory activity ranges from expanding efficiency standards to cover new appliances, creating programs and offices to implement existing energy efficiency regulations, establishing tax incentive programs to further promoting energy efficiency. For some states, this entails minimal infrastructural change and minor amendments to state regulations; for others such as Maryland and Colorado, such initiatives have been bundled into more comprehensive Governor-sponsored packages, such as the “EmPOWER Maryland” project and the “21st Century New Energy Economy” program.
| State |
Regulation
|
Status/
Implementation |
Contact |
|
D.C.
|
The “Green Building Act of 2006” was passed by the legislature 12/05/06 and is being reviewed by the mayor for approval. The bill stipulates the District of Columbia’s adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements for residential and commercial buildings. A redraft of building codes consistent with its provisions is due by 2010.
|
Pending Executive Review
|
Tomaysa Sterling
D.C. Energy Office
(202) 671-1405 |
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Nevada
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On 06/28/06, the Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) promulgated a rule that creates a system of tax abatements and exemptions for private buildings that meet green building standards. The Office is exploring further rulemakings to encourage compliance with 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
|
Departmental Discussion
|
Suzanne Brunette
Nevada Office of Energy
(775) 687-9702 |
| Nevada |
The Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) has adopted state energy efficiency regulations that implement Assembly Bill 621 (AB 621) regarding energy efficiency and building standards. AB 621 includes tax incentives for green building construction and adds a minimum energy efficiency component to the current Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) requirement.
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Final
|
Lorraine Walser
Regulations Division, Nevada Office of Energy
(775) 687-9706
|
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South Carolina
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The South Carolina State Energy Office carrying out a series of educational campaigns to promote green buildings and energy star standards. These campaigns, which include green homes and Leadership in Energy and Environment Design LEED workshops, contain information on energy star use and are ongoing
|
Departmental Discussion
|
Janet Lockhart
South Carolina Energy Office
(803) 737-8286
|
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