Green building ordinance approved
SAN FRANCISCO
The Board of Supervisors approved the Green Building ordinance
unanimously at a first vote on the legislation Tuesday. A final vote is
scheduled for this coming Tuesday.
The ordinance covers most newly constructed residential and
commercial buildings by adding requirements such as on-site renewable energy
and waste composting, chemically safe paints and carpeting, water-efficient
landscaping and reduced water use, and management of construction waste and
storm water.
The requirements will be phased in over the next five years and
would differ depending on the size and type of construction. Laboratories are
exempted entirely from the ordinance.
The legislation, based on recommendations made by Mayor Gavin
Newsom's Task Force on Green Buildings, aims to further the city's goal of
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels by
2012.
According to the city's Climate Action Plan, in 1990, San
Francisco energy use resulted in about 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide
emissions. About half of those emissions are believed to come from energy use
in buildings and other facilities.
Crafters of the ordinance believe it may be the most comprehensive
green building ordinance of any major city in the country.
They project the new rules will result in reductions in carbon
dioxide emissions by 60,000 tons through 2012, as well as reductions in power
and water usage, and in construction waste.