Going Green: Adopting and Instituting Green Building Initiatives in Charles County, Maryland
Introduction According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the impact of U.S. buildings is: ➔ 36% of total energy consumption ➔ 65% of total electricity consumption ➔ 30% of greenhouse gas emissions ➔ 30% of raw materials use globally ➔ 30% of waste output ➔ 12% of potable water consumption
How Can Charles County Become Greener?
Green Building What is it? US Green Building Council (USGBC): A leader in the field USGBC LEED TM Rating System
Benefits of Green Building Environmental benefits ● Helps to enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity ● Improves air and water quality ● Reduces solid waste/construction waste ● Conserves natural resources
Benefits of Green Building – Con't. Economic Benefits ● Reduces operating costs ● Improves employee productivity and satisfaction ● Optimizes life-cycle economic performance ● Reduces demand on water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure
Green is Going Mainstream Companies Companies like Wal-Mart are greening up their buildings. Home Depot offers green products like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and low or no VOC paint. Target stores carry environmentally friendly cleaning products. Organic foods are available at more grocery stores.
Green is Going Mainstream Public and Non-Profit Sectors National Association of Counties (NACO) Green Government Initiative St. Mary's County Green Schools Governor O'Malley's green initiatives Intergovernmental Green Building Group (IGBG) At least 11 out of 23 Maryland Counties are working to implement green building.
Green Building in Charles County Only a few examples of green buildings in Charles County Several County documents discuss the need for green building – Comprehensive Plan – Waldorf Sub-Area Plan – Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan
Case Study – Arlington County, VA Green Building 4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia Incentive program Green Building Fund Arlington County's Green Home Choice Program (Voluntary)
Case Study – Howard County, MD Green building mandated for new construction of both publicly funded and non-publicly funded buildings Green Neighborhoods Property tax credits
Case Study – Chicago, IL The Chicago Standard for Municipal Buildings Chicago Green Roof Initiative Green Homes for Chicago Green Bungalow Initiative LEED TM Certified staff members
Recommendations to Consider 1. All new public buildings and facilities, including schools, to be constructed as green buildings using the LEED TM rating system as a guide. 2. Remodel existing public buildings and facilities. 3. Create a long-term green building plan for all construction in Charles County.
Recommendations to Consider 4. Encourage voluntary participation in LEED TM Certification for any: ● Private commercial projects ● Private residential projects ● Utilize incentives such as: ● density bonuses ● expedited permit processing ● reduced permitting fees ● tax incentives
Recommendations to Consider 5. Provide ongoing education to the private sector and the public at large on green building and the LEED TM Certification process, as well as the County's future goals for green building implementation. 6. Add green building incentives to the Zoning Ordinance.
Recommendations to Consider 7. Require green building through various County regulations for all types of development. 8. Continue ongoing research to stay active/current with the green building field, especially public and private initiatives in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.
Conclusion Green buildings can help Charles County to balance environmental stewardship with implementation of our Comprehensive Plan. Green building can help to improve the quality of life for Charles County residents. As more jurisdictions become greener, this will have a significant positive impact on the environment and human health.
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