SACRAMENTO - The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) took a monumental step during its July 17 meeting, approving the first set of statewide Green Building standards by a unanimous vote. This action by the CBSC marks the first approval of Green Building standards for all buildings, by any state in the union. Several members of CALBO were in attendance at the Commission hearing to witness the actions first hand. CALBO First Vice-President Stephan Kiefer of Livermore and Green Building Committee member Peter Bruck of Rohnert Park provided testimony on behalf of CALBO. The standards were introduced as part of the Commission's annual rulemaking process and will become effective the spring of 2009.

"I am ecstatic to see California once again leading the way where code development and building standards are concerned," commented CALBO President Jay Elbettar of Newport Beach. "I am also grateful to the many members of CALBO, especially the Green Building Committee, who worked side-by-side with other stakeholders and state officials to represent the best interests of local government and building departments."

The provisions as approved include mandatory measures for residential construction and voluntary measures for other occupancies. State officials see this as the first step in transitioning to mandatory standards for all buildings across the state. CBSC Chair Rosario Marin commented that these new provisions establish the "floor" for green building standards across the state, and that local jurisdictions will have discretion to exceed these state standards. The secretary also encouraged all stakeholders including CALBO to provide the Commission with input as the new standards are
implemented. Highlights of the newly approved standards include:

*    Energy Efficiency (July 2009): The HCD standards require compliance with the California Energy Commission's Residential EnergyEfficiency Standards, which will increase the stringency of existing statewide energy standards by 20 percent. The new standards will make new California homes approximately 50 percent more energy-efficient than homes built to national energy standards.

*   Water Conservation (July 2011): The HCD standards require a 20 percent reduction in overall water use within all new homes starting on July 1, 2011. While this new water-conserving building code will allow a variety of compliance options, it is anticipated that compliance with this requirement will commonly be met via installation of new super-low flow toilets and showerheads.

*    Air Quality, Moisture Control & Resource Conservation (January 2011): There are 16 features in this remaining category that will become mandatory at the same time as the new 2010 edition of the California Building Code takes effect, currently projected to happen on January 1, 2011. Among these environmentally friendly features are requirements for low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives, paints and coatings; high-efficiency air conditioning filters to better filter out dust and particulates; and always-on exhaust fans to ensure better fresh air circulation in the home.

The standards, developed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, will be phased in to the state building code over the next three years.  If you are interested in viewing the newly approved standards, they can be viewed at: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/prpsd_stds/default.htm .