SLIDE 1
Going Green: Adopting and Instituting Green Building Initiatives in Charles County, Maryland
SLIDE 2 Introduction
According to the U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC), the impact of U.S. buildings is:
➔ 36% of total energy consumption ➔ 65% of total electricity consumption ➔ 30% of greenhouse gas emissions ➔ 30% of raw materials use globally ➔ 30% of waste output ➔ 12% of potable water consumption
SLIDE 3
How Can Charles County Become Greener?
SLIDE 4
Green Building
What is it? US Green
Building Council (USGBC): A leader in the field
USGBC LEEDTM
Rating System
SLIDE 5 Benefits of Green Building
Environmental benefits
protect ecosystems and biodiversity
quality
waste/construction waste
resources
SLIDE 6 Benefits of Green Building – Con't.
Economic Benefits
- Reduces operating costs
- Improves employee
productivity and satisfaction
economic performance
water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure
SLIDE 7 Green is Going Mainstream
Companies
Companies like Wal-Mart are
greening up their buildings.
Home Depot offers green
products like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and low or no VOC paint.
Target stores carry
environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Organic foods are available at
more grocery stores.
SLIDE 8 Green is Going Mainstream
Public and Non-Profit Sectors
National Association of Counties
(NACO) Green Government Initiative
St. Mary's County Green Schools Governor O'Malley's green
initiatives
Intergovernmental Green
Building Group (IGBG)
At least 11 out of 23 Maryland
Counties are working to implement green building.
SLIDE 9
Green Building in Charles County
Only a few examples of
green buildings in Charles County
Several County documents
discuss the need for green building
– Comprehensive Plan – Waldorf Sub-Area Plan – Land Preservation,
Parks and Recreation Plan
SLIDE 10
Case Study – Arlington County, VA
Green Building
Incentive program
Green Building Fund Arlington County's
Green Home Choice Program (Voluntary)
4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia
SLIDE 11
Case Study – Howard County, MD
Green building
mandated for new construction of both publicly funded and non-publicly funded buildings
Green
Neighborhoods
Property tax credits
SLIDE 12
Case Study – Chicago, IL
The Chicago Standard
for Municipal Buildings
Chicago Green Roof
Initiative
Green Homes for
Chicago
Green Bungalow
Initiative
LEEDTM Certified staff
members
SLIDE 13 Recommendations to Consider
- 1. All new public buildings
and facilities, including schools, to be constructed as green buildings using the LEEDTM rating system as a guide.
- 2. Remodel existing public
buildings and facilities.
- 3. Create a long-term green
building plan for all construction in Charles County.
SLIDE 14 Recommendations to Consider
- 4. Encourage voluntary participation
in LEEDTM Certification for any:
- Private commercial projects
- Private residential projects
- Utilize incentives such as:
- density bonuses
- expedited permit processing
- reduced permitting fees
- tax incentives
SLIDE 15 Recommendations to Consider
- 5. Provide ongoing education
to the private sector and the public at large on green building and the LEEDTM Certification process, as well as the County's future goals for green building implementation.
incentives to the Zoning Ordinance.
SLIDE 16 Recommendations to Consider
- 7. Require green building
through various County regulations for all types of development.
- 8. Continue ongoing research
to stay active/current with the green building field, especially public and private initiatives in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.
SLIDE 17 Conclusion
Green buildings can help
Charles County to balance environmental stewardship with implementation of our Comprehensive Plan.
Green building can help to
improve the quality of life for Charles County residents.
As more jurisdictions
become greener, this will have a significant positive impact on the environment and human health.
