Recently, the California Building Standards Commission (BSC) unanimously adopted the mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN). The mandatory code, which is the first in the United States, and takes effect on January 1, 2011, requires all new buildings in California to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. 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, such as the LEED ("Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design") program. With the advent of CALGREEN, California continues to pave the way in energy efficiency and environmental protection. California’s pioneering law will most likely lead to other states adopting the same or similar standards or potentially even implementation of a national standard.
MPP partner Theodore D. Levin, P.E. will present a seminar on this topic in the Old Library at Lloyd's.