News

New DC Buildings to Go Green: Historic Bill Passes Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alan Heymann
(202) 724-8031

December 5, 2006

Washington, DC – New construction in the District would have to meet strict environmental standards starting in late 2007, under a bill unanimously passed by the DC Council today.

“This bill means cleaner air and water, healthier students and more productive employees,” said Councilmember Jim Graham, who co-introduced the Green Building Act with Chairman Linda Cropp, Councilmember Phil Mendelson (At Large) and Councilmember Sharon Ambrose (Ward Six). “Here, we also have the chance to take the lead among green cities.”

Councilmember Graham held three hearings on this bill, and pressed to move it forward this year.

The LEED and Energy Star standards in the bill are nationally recognized and used in jurisdictions in all 50 states. But the District of Columbia would be the first jurisdiction in the country to include private-sector construction in its green building requirements. The standards include the use of lower-impact construction materials, the generation of less waste during construction, and the operation of heating and cooling systems that consume less energy.

District government buildings would meet green building standards first, by 2007. Buildings funded by the District would follow in 2008. Then, in 2012, private buildings would be required to meet the standards.

“We’ve achieved near total consensus here,” said Councilmember Graham. “The task force I put together included all the stakeholders, from environmentalists and city planners to engineers and builders. They met six times. We have a bill that has wonderful support.”

For more information on the LEED green building standards, please visit the U.S. Green Building Council website.

The District of Columbia Green Building Act of 2005 is available online here.

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