| Last year, California took a giant step forward in the | | | | code requires the installation and use of low-emitting |
| state's effort to halt climate change and protect the | | | | materials, such as paints, carpet and vinyl flooring. |
| natural environment when "the Governator" | | | | The California Air Resources Board estimates that |
| announced that the California Building Standards | | | | CALGREEN's mandatory provisions will reduce |
| Commission unanimously adopted a mandatory Green | | | | greenhouse-gas emissions by 3 million metric tons by |
| Building Standards Code, called CALGREEN. This is the | | | | 2020. |
| first code of its kind in the nation. | | | | |
| Next year, on January 1, 2011, the code will go into | | | | You know what this means? More green-building jobs |
| effect. This means we have less than a year to | | | | are headed California's way. If the state is going to |
| prepare our contractors, architects, engineers and | | | | design construction-smart, resource-efficient and |
| other professionals to take on the challenge of green | | | | eco-conscious buildings, it will need architects, |
| building in California. The code applies to newly | | | | contractors, engineers and others to be trained as |
| constructed residential, commercial, schools and | | | | LEED Accredited Professionals. LEED APs possess the |
| hospital buildings. | | | | ability and knowledge necessary to handle the |
| CALGREEN strives to improve public health, safety | | | | complexities of sustainable design and construction |
| and the general welfare of California residents by | | | | projects. Or, professionals might want to train to |
| requiring that all new buildings be more energy | | | | become Environmental Specialists, who cover a wide |
| efficient and environmentally responsible. The | | | | range of responsibilities. They address problems |
| regulations are intended to achieve major reductions | | | | associated with drinking and surface water quality, |
| in greenhouse-gas emissions, energy consumption and | | | | solid and hazardous waste storage and disposal, |
| water use in an effort to meet the state's goal of | | | | occupational health and system ecology. These |
| curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent | | | | specialists work in the fields of environmental |
| renewable energy by 2020. | | | | management, public relations, landscaping and more. |
| The code promotes sustainable construction in the | | | | Another green-building related profession includes |
| following categories: planning and design; energy | | | | Residential Green Building Specialists who assist |
| efficiency; water efficiency and conservation; material | | | | homeowners and builders in creating eco-friendly |
| conservation and resource efficiency; and | | | | houses. These specialists understand design, |
| environmental quality. | | | | construction and operations elements, as well as |
| CALGREEN will require that every new building reduce | | | | material and product selection, waste management, |
| indoor water consumption by 20 percent, with | | | | building commissioning and more. Or, a professional |
| voluntary goal standards set for 30, 35 and 40 | | | | might be interested in becoming a Green |
| percent. The code requires separate water meters | | | | Infrastructure Specialist, who understands the |
| for nonresidential buildings' indoor and outdoor water | | | | connection between the built and natural |
| use, with a requirement for moisture-sensing irrigation | | | | environments. They're knowledgeable about best |
| systems for larger landscape projects. Under this | | | | management practices for site assessment, |
| code, there will be mandatory inspections of energy | | | | streetscape, utilities, stormwater management, and |
| systems, such as a heat furnace, air conditioner and | | | | landscape and construction practices. |
| mechanical equipment for nonresidential buildings more | | | | California is the most populous state in the country. |
| than 10,000 square feet to guarantee the systems | | | | And with California leading the way on green building, |
| operate efficiently. It also requires that 50 percent of | | | | it's likely other states will follow suit once they see |
| construction waste is diverted from landfills, increasing | | | | the benefit of CALGREEN on job creation and halting |
| voluntarily to 65 and 75 percent for new homes and | | | | climate change. |
| 80 percent for commercial projects. Additionally, the | | | | |