Statewide Green Building Code Approved In California
On July 17, 2008 the state of California adopted a new green building code which will cover all new construction. The rules, developed by the California Building Standards Commission, will take effect in January of 2009 but will be on a voluntary basis until the beginning of 2010 when the code will become mandatory.
The Green Building Code addresses energy efficiency, the consumption of water in plumbing systems, the use of more environmentally friendly construction materials and the handling of construction waste materials.
California is the first state to adopt a green building code. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, said that California is serving as a leader in efforts to protect the environment and reduce global warming.
The green building code is intended to cover both residential and commercial construction in both private and public sectors.
In October of 2007 Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar green building code. The California governor stated that while he agreed that a green building code would be beneficial he did not agree with some of the provisions of that bill.