Green Building Initiative Basics
The Green Building Initiative (Executive Order S-20-04) challenges state government to demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in state buildings, while also reducing the impact state facilities have on climate change.
The GBI requires the state to reduce grid-based energy usage in its buildings 20 percent by 2015, and, in so doing, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of fossil fuel-based power required to operate those same buildings. The Green Building Initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 500,000 metric tons by 2010 and 1.8 million metric tons by 2020.
To meet the GBI's goals, Governor Schwarzenegger created the Green Action Team, a Cabinet-level group working to implement the Green Building Initiative. Led by the CA State and Consumer Services Agency, the team's mission is to oversee and direct the state's efforts.
Meeting the Goal
Meeting the GBI's 20 percent goal involves a disciplined process to assess, improve and enhance the energy- and resource-efficiency of existing state buildings; as well as designing and constructing new buildings that are models of sustainability.
The process underway to meet the GBI's goals includes the following actions:
Increasing Energy Efficiency by Retro-commissioning & Retrofitting State Buildings
Buildings 50,000 square feet and larger are undergoing the retro-commissioning process to optimize existing energy systems and improve energy performance. Retro-commissioning is expected to yield a reduction in energy use of at least 8 percent.
Older buildings are being retrofitted with more energy-efficient equipment. Retrofit projects are expected to yield a reduction in energy use of at least 12 percent.
LEED Certification of State Buildings
The average LEED-certified building uses significantly less energy and water, and produces less greenhouse gas emissions, than conventional construction.
LEED-New Construction: A minimum of LEED Silver certification is required for new construction and major renovations of facilities larger than 10,000 square feet. In addition, smaller buildings are being designed to meet LEED standards.
LEED-Existing Buildings: LEED certification is required to ensure energy- efficient, green building operations and maintenance are practiced at existing buildings larger than 50,000 square feet. The Governor's Green Building Initiative also directs that the state pursue LEED certification for operations and maintenance (LEED-EB) on all buildings that have previously received LEED certification for new construction.
A standardized building management manual—Better Building Management for a Better Tomorrow—has been developed for use in all DGS-managed buildings. The manual establishes green policies and procedures to ensure energy- and resource-efficienct practices are implemented and maintained.
Energy-Efficient Leased Facilities
California is leasing properties with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR energy efficiency score of no less than 75 (out of a possible 100 points) or higher. In addition, LEED certification is required for build-to-suit leased facilities.
On-site Renewable Electricity Generation at State Facilities
As of 2008, 4.2 megawatts of clean, on-site solar energy have been installed at state-owned facilities through a third-party power purchase program including systems at two state prisons (Chuckawalla Valley and Ironwood), a state mental health hospital (Patton), a Caltrans district headquarters (Stockton), and four California State University campuses (CSU Chico, Dominguez Hills, San Bernardino and San Luis Obispo).
Agreements for an additional eight megawatts of solar power at 16 Cal State University sites were announced in October 2008.
California is also actively working to deploy fuel cell, wind and biomass solutions.
