This week , the California Building Standards Commission unanimously adopted mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Taking effect on January 1, 2011, these comprehensive regulations will achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use. This will have a profound impact on many categories of building products. California is often a barometer for trends in other states, so this is significant regardless of where you firm does business.

Chusid Associates is offering a FREE CONSULTATION to building product manufacturers who wish to better understand the potential impact of this new code.

The State anticipates the new code will help meet its goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promoteing development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure.

Among the new requirements, CALGREEN will require that every new building constructed in California:

Reduce water consumption by 20 percent,
Divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills,
Install low pollutant-emitting materials.
Requires separate water meters for nonresidential buildings’ indoor and outdoor water use,
Requirement for moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects
Mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, 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 state anticipates raising the bar further as time passes, and includes provisions to encourage local communities to take further action to green their buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and conserve our natural resources.

CALGREEN provisions will be inspected and verified by local and state building departments. Upon passing state building inspection, California’s property owners will have the ability to label their facilities as CALGREEN compliant without using additional costly third-party certification programs.

Click here for additional information about CALGREEN. Click here to download a draft of the new code. And contact Chusid Associates for your FREE CONSULTATION.