Green Buildings & Green Construction Permits: The Regulatory Framework, Strategies, and Best Practices

Transcription

1 Green Buildings & Green Construction Permits: The Regulatory Framework, Strategies, and Best Practices 1 March 29, 2011 Presented by: Gina N. Dennis, ESQ., MBA, LEED AP green compliance & green finance: your project, our world

2 Relerience Relerience LLC is a U.S.-based international green consulting company comprised of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), experts with training from the legal profession, and energy efficiency consultants. We provide solutions for matters involving green buildings, solar and wind energy, the LEED green building standard, other energy conservation standards, products, equipment, and green technology. We assist with the development of buildings, regulations, policies, programs, consumer and residential products, commercial and industrial equipment, and other technologies that are genuinely energy efficient and green. We provide direct access to reliable information, strategies, and results involving green building opportunities, green construction regulations, energy efficiency compliance, education and training, green programs, green technology, financial incentives, energy savings, and more. 2

3 Relerience 3 Green Legislative & Regulatory Services: Developing and identifying strategies, outputs, outcomes, measurable results, and effective language for Green Agendas, legislation, and regulations, in connection with green buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Green Compliance Services: Providing advice on compliance with energy efficiency standards, reporting, certifications, rules, and regulations, involving green buildings, consumer and residential products, commercial and industrial equipment, and green technology. Green Education and Training: Providing education and training to organizations to help them understand, benefit from, or use green legislation, green industry standards, green policies, and green certifications, involving green buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, and green technology. Green Finance: Providing analysis on government-financial incentives available for prospective or current projects involving green buildings, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

4 Relerience 4 Gina N. Dennis is the founder of Relerience. Ms. Dennis has eight combined years of experience in areas of green buildings, environmental regulations, energy regulations, real estate development, construction, and commercial leases. Ms. Dennis is an Attorney and a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Ms. Dennis received her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from American University s Washington College of Law. She also received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from American University s Kogod School of Business. Ms. Dennis also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and psychology from Spelman College.

5 The Green Agenda The United States: a developed country perspective The District of Columbia (Washington, DC): a Case Study Best Practices: a regulatory strategy for green construction and green building permits Outputs Outcomes Measurable Results Jordan: additional perspectives 5

6 Overview of the United States 6 Regulatory Framework: Common elements in regulations (e.g. building codes) that impact Green Construction and the ability to obtain a Green Building Permit. Adoption (by a legislative branch) of common Green Building Industry Standards Commercial and Residential: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Commercial and Residential: ENERGY STAR IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers)

7 Overview of the United States The Process for Green Building Permits: Compliance: satisfying requirements of regulations that have incorporated certain Green Industry Standards Application Format: common elements of Permit Applications Time: the amount of time to obtain a Green Building Permit Cost: the costs associated with obtaining a Green Building Permit Incentives: Common incentives in connection with Green Building Permits, including financial incentives, expedited permitting, and increases in project density Enforcement: Common strategies for enforcing requirements for Green Construction and Green Building Permits 7

8 Case Study: The District of Columbia Elements in the Legislation and Regulations for Green Construction and Green Building Permits: 8 Regulating the type of construction (e.g. substantial improvements or new construction) Regulating projects based on ownership (e.g. government-owned versus privately-owned) Regulating projects based on size (e.g. green mandates for a certain amount of square footage) Regulating projects based on the type of real estate (e.g. non-residential versus residential) Green Industry Standards (e.g. LEED and ENERGY STAR)

9 Case Study: The District of Columbia Industry Standards and the Regulations for Green Construction and Green Building Permits: The D.C. Green Building Act ; D.C. regulations (e.g. building codes) LEED certification requirements ENERGY STAR requirements Green Communities Standard 9

10 Case Study: The District of Columbia Cost of Obtaining a Green Building Permit: New Construction: based on per square foot Alterations & Repairs: based on a percent of the construction value Regulatory Incentives for Green Construction & Green Building Permits Enforcement: Regulatory Deadlines Compliance Reviews; verification of compliance Penalties 10

11 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outputs A proposed a Green Building Council A Research Phase to identify EXISTING energy conservation standards that: 11 have previously been adopted by other countries or cities, which have a significant number of green buildings and an existing regulatory framework for green buildings address the design as well as the construction of buildings cover energy consumption for residential real estate, commercial real estate (e.g. office buildings, schools, hospitals, and retail locations), new construction, and existing buildings

12 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outputs A Research Phase to identify EXISTING energy conservation standards that: 12 address energy efficiency, water conservation, air quality, recycling, and the reuse of resources address renewable energy sources (e.g. solar or wind energy) address the relationship between climate and energy efficiency are recognized internationally (for international standardization) e.g. the LEED green building standard

13 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outputs A proposed plan to establish a group of green building practitioners (e.g. LEED APs). A proposed plan for a green building regulatory framework that includes the following elements: the incorporation of existing, internationally recognized energy conservation standards into new legislation, existing laws (in the form of extensive amendments), or as a supplement to existing building codes green construction mandates energy benchmarking requirements compliance deadlines financial incentives 13

14 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outputs 14 A proposed plan for Enforcement in connection with new construction and existing buildings. A proposed plan for Training Programs to educate government employees and the private sector on any new green construction regulations and standards.

15 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outcomes The existence of a Green Building Council. 15 The number of energy conservation standards that have been adopted by the Green Building Council. The number of green building practitioners that exist (e.g. the number of LEED APs). The number of newly enacted laws and building codes that have incorporated the new standards, construction mandates, energy benchmarking requirements, compliance deadlines, and financial incentives.

16 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: Outcomes 16 The confirmed amount of time necessary to enact the new regulatory framework. The confirmed amount of time for the industry to transition into a green building process. The existence of a new Enforcement process that includes compliance verifications by the government or third parties & fees imposed for non-compliance. The number of training programs as well as the number of newly trained government employees and private sector individuals or businesses.

17 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: The Results 17 Permits: The actual number of Green Building Permits that have been issued. Existing Buildings: The actual number of existing buildings that have been converted into Green Buildings. New Construction: The actual number of new construction projects that led to the development of Green Buildings. Energy & Water Consumption: The actual aggregate amount of reduced energy and water consumption. Energy & Water Consumption: The actual number of existing buildings that have reduced their energy and water consumption by certain rates and levels.

18 Best Practices Regulatory Strategy: The Results 18 Government Energy Cost Savings: The actual amount of financial savings for government-owned buildings resulting from reduced energy consumption. Commercial Energy Cost Savings: The actual amount of financial savings for private sector, commercial buildings resulting from reduced energy consumption. Residential Energy Cost Savings: The actual amount of financial savings for private sector, residential buildings resulting from reduced energy consumption.

19 Jordan Additional Perspectives To Consider Has established a Green Building Council Has adopted the LEED green building standard Jordan & the United States: a comparative analysis The strategy for a regulatory framework for green buildings 19 The number of months or years necessary for a country or its localities to develop a new regulatory framework The amount of time the building or construction industry has to transition into a green building process

20 Contact Information 20 Gina N. Dennis (office) (mobile) 1629 K ST. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC green compliance & green finance: your project, our world