Since California has historically been first on so many other fronts, it may come as no surprise that we also became the first state in the nation to adopt a building code for green construction practices. It was announced on July 18th that the members of the California Building Standards Commission voted 10-0 in favor of this new provision. The code sets targets not only for energy efficiency but for water consumption, dual plumbing systems for potable and recyclable water, diversion of construction waste from landfills and use of environmentally sensitive materials in construction and design, including eco-friendly flooring, carpeting, paint, coatings, thermal insulation and acoustical wall and ceiling panels.

The state’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected changing the law to achieve this goal in 2007 in favor of using the building code as a better way to attack the issue. In a recent statement, Schwarzenegger promoted the results, saying, “By adopting this first-in-the-nation statewide green building code, we are leading the way to fight climate change and protect the environment.” Noting that cars and buildings are two of the leading users of energy, the governor admits that although we are already addressing cars, taking this next step will ensure that California remains at the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint and conserving valuable natural resources while protecting the economy.

"This is a huge step in greening the state and greening the nation," says Rosario Marin, the Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and the chair of the California Building Standards Commission. These new mandates will take effect in phases over a three-year period, starting with the California energy Commission’s Residential Energy Efficiency Standard, which will become 20% more stringent on July 1st, 2009. This requirement will make the code 50% tougher than the international model as well. Moisture control, indoor air quality and waste recycling rules will take effect in January of 2011, while potable water rules will take effect that July.

The standards cover commercial and residential construction in the public and private sectors as well as schools of all levels, hospitals and other public institutions.

Green activists see this as a first step or compromise, only partially pleased at these changes. They continue to object to language that was dropped from the final draft that would have required the use of certified sustainably-produced lumber and have also have promised to push for state legislation freeing up local authorities to set stricter rules than the state code.