Wash. may require 'green' state buildings

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 3/30/05 | Rachel LaCorte - AP

[NormsRevenge]

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Schools, universities and other public buildings would have to be built to meet energy efficiency, water conservation and other environmental standards under a bill given final approval by lawmakers Wednesday.

If signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire - who has expressed support for the measure - Washington would be the first state in the nation to have such a "green buildings" law. Several cities and municipalities have required new buildings to be built to the standards, including Chicago and Austin, Texas.

"It's good for the kids, it's good for the workers, and it's good for the taxpayers," said Democratic Rep. Hans Dunshee.

Some lawmakers argued the requirements add costs without a proven benefit.

"What's the bang for the buck?" asked Republican Rep. Bill Hinkle. "Do we need this? Is there a real compelling public interest?"

The Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based industry group, says high-performance green buildings not only reduce utility costs, but increase employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and in schools, improve student test scores.

Bill sponsor Democratic Sen. Erik Poulsen said projects will cost 1 percent to 4 percent more up front, but the energy and water savings will offset that.

Final approval came on a 78-19 House vote. The bill passed the Senate earlier this month, 32-16.

Nearly 200 green buildings have been built nationwide using a standard called "leadership in energy and environmental design," according to the Green Building Council. Introduced in 2000 by the council, the guidelines call for using recycled materials, ensuring better ventilation and reducing water and energy use, among other standards.

[NormsRevenge]

I know where I'd like to 'plant' a few of these green buildings.

[JLS]

This is a really great idea. Particularly paying extra to have buildings that meet water conservation standards. I mean you can't treat a scarce resource like water in Western Washington like it falls from sky for free all the time.

[Issaquahking]

communist ecology alert ping

[bill1952]

I laugh every day at the State taxes being paid by redstaters as they rail at the Feds for not doing enought for them.

[rockrr]

Just one more in a long line of stupid pieces of "legislation" that Dino will have to correct once he gets this self-serving, ignorant b!tch out of the Governors chair.....

[sionnsar]

The Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based industry group, says high-performance green buildings not only reduce utility costs, but increase employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and in schools, improve student test scores.

Color me skeptical, though I work in this industry, know a little bit about "LEEDS", will be speaking at a conference on same in a few weeks, and my employer might profit somewhat by adoption of same.

There are problems with the type of "green" buildings being built these days -- too little air exchange with outside air, for example, allows the buildup of an amazing amount products of "outgassing" materials. A Danish researcher I know has done a tremendous amount of work researching IAQ (indoor air quality) and a walk through his labs is really horrifying.

There will be benefits to better-designed buildings, but if they're reduced to "reduce absenteeism and ... improve[d] student test scores," I'd be watching my wallet really, really carefully.

[taxesareforever]

This is a really great idea. Particularly paying extra to have buildings that meet water conservation standards. I mean you can't treat a scarce resource like water in Western Washington like it falls from sky for free all the time.

What a crock. Water scarce in Western Washington? You gotta be kidding. You have been sucked up by the scare mongerers. Don't you realize that the more people get scared the more it costs? Just another red herring to suck money out of taxpayers pockets. Washington needs to paint all its' buildings brown for what brown represents, if you catch my drift.

[doug from upland]

HERE IS THE FIRST "GREEN" SKYSCRAPER - THE UNIQUE CONDE NAST BUILDING (4 Times Square)

A fuel cell generator kept power going during the big blackout. It has special energy efficient glass. It is a great building.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks! That's quite a pile of glass and glitter!

I didn't see a building cost, that glass must still be cheaper than marble,,,

dang, over 800 feet tall too.

[Old Professer]

Without ants, anthills lose meaning.

[Old Professer]

Not everyone is as subtle </sarcasm>

[JLS]

Ever hear of sarcasm?

[taxesareforever]

Ever hear of sarcasm?

Sorry. Sometimes it has to poke me in the eye, slap me on the back or kick me in the butt.

[Washington_minuteman]

Gotta love your tagline: Revote or Revolt! It's up to you Washington! The only thing is, the most revolting thing people ever did in this state was to pass gas in an elevator. What's needed is a division; east from west. I for one, am tired of having my pockets picked by those Quslings in Olympia to pay for maintanance on those aged ferry boats and that stupid floating bridge that I'll never use! Of course, that'll never happen, either. Neither will anyone remove the "bitch".

[rockrr]

I've given it considerable thought.

You have a point about the Milquetoast nature of conservatives in Washington state - we've basically been bowled over by leftist zealots who have no scruples, no shame, and no remorse.

I believe that the division thing could better be addressed by putting up a wall around Seattle proper, and not letting anyone out without a note from his doctor ;'}

[rudy45]

ping