Thank You, Creigh Deeds [IMPORTANT UPDATE]

Deeds Applauds Inclusion of Green Building Initiative in Budget

Budget Policy Language Requires New Construction and Major Renovation to Meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Globes Criteria

RICHMOND-Senator R. Creigh Deeds today applauded the inclusion of his budget amendment requiring all new and renovated state-owned facilities to be designed and constructed according to criteria set forth by either the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Globes program. The new state policy takes effect July 1, 2008 and applies to all facilities with at least 5,000 square feet and when a renovation costs more than 50 percent of the structure's assessed value.

"Requiring LEED or similar certification for state buildings is an important step we must take to reduce our emission of greenhouse gases and impact on the environment," said Deeds. "I commend the budget negotiators, from both houses of the General Assembly and from both political parties, for including this provision in the budget agreement."

UPDATE: This issue is extremely complicated, and as it turns out "Green Globes" is at least somewhat questionable as an alternative to the respected and widely utilized LEED building standards.  Financed by the building industry and by forest product companies like Georgia-Pacific, the "Green Building Initiative" was developed as a looser and less aggressive alternative to LEED.  For instance, "Green Globes" allows for online self-rating where you can evaluate yourself. That's not good. Also, creating a rival standard to LEED runs the risk of confusing matters. In sum, including "Green Globes" in this amendment may -- despite the best of intentions, I'm sure -- end up actually weakening Gov. Kaine's executive 2007 order on energy efficiency in state government.  Not good.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED, is a set of standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that guide the design, construction and operation of homes, office buildings and other structures. This independent certification process leads to the construction and renovation of buildings that are cheaper to operate, produce less waste, conserve energy and water, and are healthier and safer for occupants. The Green Globes certification, operated by the Green Building Initiative, is a similar program.

Senator Deeds' original budget amendment request was 81#2s in SB 30. As included in the conference committee report, the budget language is contained in 81#1c.

For more information:

HB/SB 30 Conference Report (see page 20): http://leg1.state.va.us/081/bu...

U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certification: http://www.usgbc.org/LEED

Green Globes: http://www.greenglobes.com

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