Across the U.S., 77 cities have adopted some type of green building initiative. These iniatives rely on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program - which promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability - or a similar system.

On average, green buildings reduce energy use by approximately 30 percent, carbon emissions by 35 percent, water use by 30 to 50 percent, and results in waste cost savings of 50 to 90 percent. These environmental and energy savings translate into significant economic benefits, including reduced operating costs, enhanced asset value and higher rents, improved employee productivity and satisfaction, and optimized life-cycle economic performance.

Los Angeles, for example, passed a groundbreaking private sector green building law in April 2008 that would cut the City’s carbon emissions by more than 80,000 tons by 2012 - the equivalent of taking 15,000 cars off the road. This Los Angeles Green Building Ordinance requires all new commercial buildings 50,000 square feet or larger, as well as residential buildings with 50,000 square feet or more of floor space and over 6 stories high, or having 50 or more units, to comply with the LEED “certified” standard. In exchange, the City will work with developers “to speed up approvals and to remove obstacles in the municipal code for elements of sustainable building design, such as green rooftops, cisterns and permeable pavement.”

Read the rest of this entry »

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.

Yesterday, the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming convened a hearing to discuss how green building - the practice of constructing sustainable and energy efficient buildings - can both curb climate change and reduce energy costs.

In his opening statement, Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA) observed that the building sector is responsible for up to 48% of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, and an even higher percentage on a local level. For example, 78% of Boston’s heat-trapping gases are attributed to buildings. Nonetheless, only 7% of participants in a recent survey identified buildings as a major source of climate change emissions. The hearing yesterday was intended to change that perception.

Chairman Markey plainly stated, “[e]fficient design, low-emission construction materials, and decreased energy use in buildings can combat global warming and simultaneously reduce the rising costs of lighting, heating and cooling structures…” The overall economic and environmental benefits of more efficient buildings are clear… consumers get a good return on their investment.” Accordingly, Chairman Markey urged the greening of all buildings, “whether they are new or already built, commercial or residential, public or private.”

Read the rest of this entry »

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.