The California Building Standards Commission voted to adopt a new set of “green” codes to be effective January 2011. The new codes will help reduce global warming and acheive 33 percent renewable energy by 2020. This will be the new way for public works projects, and has already started to take form.
“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, commercial ac, 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.” (information provided by State of California)
For more information about Calgreen, visit CALGREEN
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