Governor Rell: ‘Green’ Building Regulations

Would Bolster Emerging Workforce

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her administration has submitted testimony in support of her bill that would require the Department of Public Works to adopt comprehensive regulations for the construction and renovation of state-owned buildings and public schools designed to reduce energy consumption and costs.

“Building and maintaining energy efficient buildings will help pave the way for the workforce of the future – green collar jobs,” Governor Rell said. “These strict standards will also help us reduce our carbon footprint on the environment by conserving energy and preserving our valuable natural resources.”

House Bill 6377, An Act Concerning Green Building Regulations, applies to new construction of $5 million or more and renovations of $2 million or more. The bill requiring the regulations, which were mandated by recently approved broad-based energy legislation, is before the Legislature’s Energy Committee.

Highlights of the proposed regulations would require:

·        Buildings be designed to be 21 percent more energy efficient that current state building code;

·        Use of low-flow fixtures to consume 20 percent less water

·        Appliances comply with Energy Star standards

·        Use of indoor adhesives and paints low in volatile organic compound emissions

·        Use of captured rainwater, recycled wastewater and drought resistant plants to cut landscaping water use by 50 percent

·        At least 10 percent of building materials be manufactured within 500 miles of construction site

·        Selection of a site with access to public transportation

·        Reuse of sites defined as brownfields

The regulations must be in accordance with the “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” or “LEED” rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The rating system encourages environmental integrity, energy efficiency, healthy work spaces and sustainable building practices.

The bill would require the DPW commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of Environmental Protection and Public Safety, to adopt the regulations by January 1, 2010.