State Activities

California

As of December 2008, the US Green Building Council lists California as the number one state for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) projects, with 2,788. Through the Green Building Initiative, California is improving the energy and environmental performance of existing and new state-owned buildings. Executive Order S-20-04 calls for reducing electricity consumption in state buildings 20 percent by 2015. Reaching that goal will include a combination of benchmarking the energy efficiency of state buildings, and retro-commissioning and retrofitting facilities to ensure that energy systems are operated as efficiently as possible. The state is pursuing LEED-New Construction certification for its major construction and renovation projects. In addition, the state is seeking LEED-Existing Building certifications for existing facilities in order to ensure energy efficient building operations and maintenance practices. California is also encouraging and enabling schools built with state funds to be resource and energy efficient.

The 2008 California Green Building Standards Code (effective August 1, 2009)

The State of California Department of Justice has prepared a document that identifies the various approaches to green building ordinances that jurisdictions have taken and the most common features of the measures.
California

California State Fire Marshal's Solar Photovoltaic Installation Guideline - PDF (2MB)

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Texas

Green Building Initiative

As of December 2008, the US Green Building Council lists Texas as the number two state for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) projects, with 2007.

Texas State Fire Marshal

Since 1997 the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) has been part of the Texas Department of Insurance as directed by SB 371, 75th Legislature. In addition to the staff located at the SFMO headquarters in Austin, SFMO employees are strategically located across the state to respond quickly to requests. The mission of the SFMO is to reduce loss of life and property due to fire and related hazards. Through the efforts of four divisions, Prevention and Outreach, Fire Safety Inspections, Licensing and Enforcement, and Fire Investigations, and in collaboration with private sector entities, the regulated fire service industry, the Texas fire service, local and state agencies, and the public, the SFMO seeks to create communities well prepared to protect themselves against fire. The SFMO believes that prevention is the most effective means of fire protection. The office incorporates the principles of Engineering, Enforcement and Education into innovative fire protection. Fire personnel working in the areas of Engineering learn why fires are occurring and distill their findings into accurate, relevant fire protection information. Enforcement reinforces Engineering by ensuring that the public adheres to fire safety codes and statutes. Through Education, the SFMO designs and delivers vital fire prevention services and information to the audiences and communities most in need of it. The SFMO understands that fire is largely preventable. Through fire and life safety engineering, enforcement and education, the SFMO strives to create safer communities and reduce the impact of fire.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), partners with Texas consumers, businesses, educators and local governments to reduce energy costs and maximize efficiency. The SECO sustainable building design initiative and its sustainable school design initiative encourage and support schools, state agencies, architects and contractors to design and construct sustainable buildings that consume less fossil fuel, limit environmental impacts and improve worker health and productivity.

Partial List of City Activities

The City of Austin has green building provisions within the city building code. The requirements vary according to location, zoning designation, and building type (current as of 3-17-2010).

The Dallas City Council adopted a green construction ordinance to reduce energy and water consumption in all new houses and commercial buildings constructed in the city .

The city of Frisco administers a green building program with separate rules for commercial and residential structures.

The Houston City Council adopted the Green Building Resolution, which set a target of Silver level LEED certification for new construction, replacement facilities and major renovations of city of Houston-owned buildings and facilities with more than 10,000 square feet of occupied space. The General Services Department is implementing this policy in its management of projects in the City's Capital Improvement Plan. The city of Houston’s Code Enforcement staff has a green buildings resource center where plans are reviewed for opportunities to add green strategies.

San Antonio has adopted the International Energy Conservation Code, with local amendments, effective January 1, 2010 (Code of Ordinances, Article XV; ).

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