This August, New York’s State Green Building Construction Act will go into affect. NY Govenor, David A. Paterson signed a law in September 2009 requiring all new government buildings and major renovations adhere to green building standards. The New York Office of General Services will be crafting new guidelines according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. Many cities and states, including Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, have been enacting legislation requiring new buildings meet LEED standards. Many governmental buildings currently draw their power from fossil fuels at the expense of taxpayers. Building more energy-efficient governmental facilities would be a simple, clean, and cheap way to begin a sustainable infrastructure.
Environmental planning has increasing importance as we draw closer to exhausting our nonrenewable sources of energy; state governments requiring new buildings to meet greener requirements is an important first step toward America’s energy independence. These buildings require no serious change to infrastructure, but will reduce government spending on energy powering new buildings and renovated old ones. State and city governments are strong examples for the national government and citizens to follow. There are already 45 states and 442 localities (cities, towns, and counties) with LEED initiatives. Reducing the carbon footprint of the United States is extremely important and increasing legislation supporting effective programs such as LEED certification can pave the way toward more sustainable living across the nation.
I believe that it of the utmost importance for compulsory LEED certifications to be required for all state government buildings as well as for federal government buildings. Mandating that buildings meet LEED certification will save money for taxpayers, create 'green' jobs, and would lessen some of the energy demands across states. Some states, such as Nevada, are also offering tax breaks for LEED building projects. New green standard buildings would also comply with the 2030 challenge and reduce buildings’ energy consumption from 60% from fossil fuels to zero. A national requirement for all new governmental buildings and renovations meet green building standards is an obvious and easy way to begin a greener America. This first step in governmental change can lead to all new buildings being more sustainable.
I believe this is a big, first step in the right direction to becoming a more green country. With many governments facing budget deficits, this is one way in which governments will be able to save money and cut their costs. Governments will not have to pay as much money for energy services to their buildings anymore. Governments all across the country are looking for ways to reduce their budget and making their buildings conform to LEED codes will be a cost saving, easy, option to act upon.
ReplyDeleteWhen citizens see that their local government is "going green," then citizens will also be inclined to "go green" and take part in the effort. Citizens will become more aware of green technologies and the options that are available and most appropriate for them to pursue.
I agree with what Walter said; if Federal buildings go green, a dominio effect can take place all the way down to citizens "greening" their own home. For the people who work in the current "green" federal buildings, its probably easier to fix things in their own home based off of what their office is doing. Things like energy efficent light bulbs, "green" applicances, and adjusting the thermostat to reduce energy consumption are all ways to create green standards.
ReplyDeleteIf every state had LEED initiatives, the carbon footprint placed on the Earth by the US would be heavily downsized.
It was very exciting to read that New York finally accepted green living through its State Green Building Construction Act. It has taken them years since World War II to finally get out of their shell of tall steel towers and sealed glass windows, which lead to low ventilation and sunlight. Now it is one of the growing green states.
ReplyDeleteLEED certified projects can not only reduce energy costs but can also increase labor productivity and health. More individuals and countries need to be educated about the benefits of LEED.
This is a huge step in the right direction. More states should, and hopefully will, follow the examples set by those states supporting the LEED initiative. The only potential drawback to this may be the initial monetary cost, but that will be made up for in the future through both the energy costs that the buildings will eventually save, and the environmental cost. The initial cost may make some citizen skeptical at first, but this program is sure to convince them in the end. They will have a chance to see for themselves the benefits that LEED certified buildings have, and it is hopeful that many will soon begin learning from the process and incorporating green building measures of their own.
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