Across the United States, a movement focused on green building is beginning to take shape. From Alabama to Wyoming, states are starting to recognize the importance of the green building initiative. Government officials have partnered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and are taking the necessary steps to pass important bills that will protect the environment, promote energy independence, create jobs, save money, and create healthier workplaces, homes, and schools.
In 2011, many advancements were made in all four of the USGBC’s core priority areas of focus: Green Buildings for Climate Protection; Green Affordable Housing; Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Green Schools. However, the push to “go green” isn’t always an easy sell. Recent budget debates and an increased focus on state balance sheets slowed the advancement of many green bills. But lawmakers and the USGBC continue the fight for a healthier, “greener” America.
Among the states to implement green building policy was California. CALGreen, which became effective January 1 of this year, is the nations first statewide mandatory green building code that seeks to establish minimum green building standards for residential and commercial new construction projects across California. The state also has a few additional bills in the works right now focusing on green schools and other core priorities. To find out more about California green initiatives, click the link below to read the full report.
To read the USGBC’s full report on Advancing Green Building Policy in the States, click here.