Why Is This Important?
The construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of buildings use a tremendous amount of energy and natural resources and generate large quantities of waste and pollution.  Green building practices seek to minimize the impact of our built environment by creating healthier and more resource-efficient buildings.  Green buildings provide environmental benefits by reducing solid waste and conserving resources, economic benefits by reducing operating costs and enhancing asset values, and social benefits by minimizing the strain on local infrastructure and providing healthy indoor environments.

What Is a Sustainable State?
A sustainable state is one where buildings are resource efficient, produce minimal waste, built with nontoxic substances, and have healthy indoor environments.

How Are We Doing?
LEED Buildings
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System measures a building’s performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  At year end 2007, there were five LEED certified buildings in San Mateo County.

  • The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Headquarters in Menlo Park
  • The Rudolph and Sletten Corporate Headquarters in Redwood City
  • The San Mateo County Forensic Laboratory in San Mateo
  • The Alexandra Real Estate Equities building in South San Francisco
  • A Sugen Pharmaceutical laboratory in South San Francisco

In addition, there are nearly 30 other projects in the county that have registered with the USGBC to begin the certification process.  These projects are located throughout the county and include commercial buildings, libraries, schools, and other public facilities.

Green building policies
A green building policy is a written ordinance, code, policy, or guideline that promotes the construction of green buildings.  Two local governments currently have green building policies.

  • San Mateo County requires future county facilities over 5,000 square feet be built to LEED standards.  In addition, the county is evaluating a new policy that would require all new construction over a specific size to meet certain green building standards.
  • Brisbane requires all city and commercial buildings over a specific size to meet LEED standards, and residential buildings over a specific size to meet certain green building requirements.

In addition, Hillsborough and Portola Valley require permit applications for new construction include either a Build It Green GreenPoints checklist or a Sustainable Buildings Checklist.

Local government can do many things to promote green building practices.  Although not a complete list, specific policies in the county include:

  • Nearly all of the cities in the county have construction debris and waste management ordinances that require reuse or recycling of materials from construction sites.
  • Most cities have sought to make public facilities more energy efficient.
  • Some cities offer rebates or have lowered fees for the installation of photovoltaic energy systems.
  • Most cities and/or water districts have residential water conservation programs such as rebates for low-flow toilets and other water-saving devices.
  • Many provide educational materials or programs for residents and building professionals.

 

See appendix page 75, CLICK HERE. Researcher: Brittany Bendix