Local Governments Take The Lead On Green Building
Jul 31, 202047.2K Shares1.4M Views
Green-housing advocates and developers are quick to sayprogress in green building is being made at the state and local levels, driven by rising energy prices and concerns about climate change. And this week, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into lawwhat’s being considered the "nation’s most aggressive green-building legislation."
The ordinance requiresnew commercial buildings larger than 5,000 square feet and residential buildings higher than 75 feet to acquire LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications. LEED is the most widely used green rating system for buildings in the United States. San Francisco’s new law also requires renovations on buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to meet LEED standards.
Buildings account for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. Green Building Council — the organization behind the LEED rating system.
The number of cities and counties enacting green building policies has increased three-fold in the last four years, according to USA Today. A record number of 14 states approved such policies last year; eight more states have done so this year. In 2008, six states enacted laws to require state buildings to meet LEED standards, and more than a dozen cities and counties followed suit.
Mayor Newsom told USA Today that action needs to come from local and state governments. He said: "It requires a mandate in order to get people to do what’s in their best interests sometimes."
Dexter Cooke
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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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