California’s New Building Standards

California Issues New Building Standards

By Jacque

The L.A. Times reported yesterday that California raised standards for developers in an attempt to reduce the energy use of buildings by 15% and a 50% reduction in water for landscaping. Across the nation, buildings are responsible for using 39% of energy, 12% of potable water, and 40% of raw materials (U.S. Green Building Council).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that the new standards “will ensure that California remains in the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources…”

The proposed code changes will be voluntary but are to become mandatory in 2010.

For more information, see the original story by Margot Roosevelt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer.