In a previous post, I discussed the CALGreen initiative introduced in January, 2011 in California. This environmental program was created to help California become more eco-friendly and environmentally conscious. These measures apply to commercial and residential real estate, and have been instrumental in air pollution reduction and water restoration.
Since its inception four years ago, the state continues to revise the CALGreen initiative in its attempt to remediate its environmental footprint, especially in the construction industry. The State’s Green Building Standards Code was recently updated earlier this year. The latest updates, which have set the bar for state mandates, are helping California’s construction industry fulfill the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
CALGreen initiatives apply for the duration of the building’s existence from the design and construction phases through operations. These initiatives focus on:
- Planning and Design
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Efficiency and Conservation
- Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency
- Environmental Quality
- Additions and Alterations
While CALGreen is a statewide code, it must be adopted and enforced at the local level. All jurisdictions follow the minimum mandatory requirements, but enforcement varies from one jurisdiction to the next. CALGreen also allows individual cities to enact stricter standards or provide supplemental incentives for compliance.
Whether you have recently broken ground on a new real estate development in California or are in the planning stages and are not certain whether your project meets the minimum requirements, it is highly recommended that you undertake a review of the project plans prior to construction and understand the state code and the relevant time requirements. Particularly when faced with quickly evolving legislation, consulting with an expert who is familiar with updates and revisions to the law makes compliance more feasible.
If you would like to learn more about CALGreen and how it may affect your future in environmental real estate development, contact Shane Coons at 949-333-0900 or visit www.ShaneCoonsLaw.com.