Green Schools and Green Buildings State and Local
Green Schools and Green Buildings State and Local Policy Possibilities Mary Luévano Policy & Legislative Affairs Director Global Green USA Green Schools Initiative
Global Green Building Initiatives 1994: Green Affordable Housing Initiative 2000: Local Government Green Building Program Work 2004: Green Schools Initiative 2005: Climate Solutions for Communities Green Schools Initiative
Linking Practice and Policy • Global Green works across a continuum that includes research, technical assistance, education, advocacy, and policy development efforts. Technical Assistance Green Schools Initiative Research/Outre ach Policy/Advocacy
Crafting an Effective Policy Strategy Green Schools Initiative
Drafting Your Argument Highlighting the positive characteristics of green schools: 1. Efficient To Operate 2. Durable and Resilient 3. Healthy and Productive 4. Environmentally Responsible Green Schools Initiative
Green School Benefits Reduce operating costs Improved student performance Improved Air Quality Increased teacher/worker retention Green Schools Initiative Direct Benefit (Individual/Org) Reduced Maintenance
Green School Benefits Supports regional/national economic development Reduces Impacts of Global Warming Indirect Benefit (National/Global) Protects Endangered Species and Habitat Green Schools Initiative
Formulating a Strategy • Identify key policymakers and champions • Identify what specific issues appeal to policymakers personally • Understand the fiscal situation of the state or school district • Identify related policy efforts to piggyback on • Identify key constituencies who will support policy/build coalition Green Schools Initiative
Policy Options Mandate Incentives Green Schools Initiative Education and Technical Assistance
Green Schools Mandates District Resolution Executive Order Mandates Green Schools Initiative Law
Green Schools Incentives School Construction Bonds Utility Incentive Programs Incentives Green Schools Initiative
Education and Technical Assistance Partnering with local, state or federal agencies that can provide resources Educating key staff about LEED and/or CHPS Green Schools Initiative Hiring (or acquiring) a green school advisor Education and Technical Assistance
What’s happening around the country? Green Schools Initiative
What’s up in NY, IL, CA • New York/NYC: 2005: Mayor Bloomberg signs law requiring city-funded capital projects to use LEED. Schools and hospitals must meet the LEED Certified level. Also required energy cost reductions. Ilinois: 2007: the Illinois State Senate amends the School Construction Law with the governor’s approval, directing the Capital Development Board to only issue grants to school projects with LEED for Schools certification, the Green Globes rating system, meet the standards set forth by the Capital Development Board’s Green Building Advisory Committee, or comparable rating system certification. • California: 2006: voters approve statewide green schools bond for $100 m), LA USD adopted green school policy in 2005/implementing now Significant because these states contain 3 largest school districts in the country. Green Schools Initiative
State and Local Policy Examples: California Green Schools Initiative
• 2004: Legislation introduced (AB 736 Hancock) requiring all schools built after 2006 to meet CHPS - Vetoed (reason: want comprehensive gb policy) • 2004: LA USD adopts motion to bring GG on as Green Schools advisor • 2005: Legislation introduced (AB 315 Hancock) requiring all schools that receive state funding to meet CHPS - threatened w/veto/held by author (reason: DGS opposed mandate) Green Schools Initiative
CA Policy AB 315 Supporters ` – – – – – – – Global Green USA (Sponsor) Natural Resources Defense Council (Sponsor) American Lung Association (Sponsor) Collaborative for High Performance Schools Urban Ecology American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Planning and Conservation League East Bay Municipal Utility District Literacy for Environmental Justice Sempra Energy SMUD American Institute of Architects California Teachers Association California Federation of Teachers Association of California School Administrators California School Boards Association Clean Power Campaign Sierra Club San Diego Unified School District San Francisco Unified School District Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District New Haven Unified School District PG&E Warner Bros. Los Angeles Unified School District Green Schools Initiative
CA Policy 2005: GG works to get $100 million in state education bond (Prop. 1 D) set-aside for green schools. Approved by voters in November 2005. “The sum of one hundred million dollars ($100, 000) shall be available, upon appropriation therefore, for grants for projects that promote sustainable resource use in public facilities, including the use of green building materials in schools. Priority shall be given to projects that provide multiple benefits, use existing public lands, serve communities with the greatest need, and facilitate joint use of public resources and investments, including schools. Not less than fifty million dollars ($50, 000) of the funds made available by this article shall be for incentive grants for the use of sustainable building materials in public schools. ” Green Schools Initiative
CA Policy Drafting the Regs: • Two administrative bodies (OPSC, SAB) • Challenges to CHPS criteria (outside standard, desire to focus on ghg reductions) • Final regs approved in Fall 2007 Green Schools Initiative
LA Green Building Policies • Los Angeles Unified School District 2/2002 - direct the head of Facilities develop more resource efficient design criteria for new and renovation project, consult with CHPS 10/2003 - ensure every new school incorporate CHPS from the beginning of the design process, must meet 28 points, aim for 32 points Green Schools Initiative
LAUSD’s $19 billion school construction program How did we get here? • Last school built in 1973 • Most schools over 55 years old • Many schools on year-round program 1997 - $2. 4 billion, 71% approval 2002 - $3. 35 billion local, 68% approval 2004 - $3. 87 billion, 63% approval 2005 - $4 billion, 66% approval $13. 62 billion Balance from state school construction bonds Green Schools Initiative
State and Local Policy Examples: Louisiana Green Schools Initiative
Louisiana Schools • School Districts making significant investments in school infrastructure • Presents unique opportunity to incorporate green building standards into schools • New construction • Repairs/Renovations Green Schools Initiative
LRA Green Schools Criteria • 2006: Global Green USA approached by the LRA to develop Green Schools Criteria for schools to obtain CDBG funds • 2007: Criteria adopted by the LRA • As drafted, green schools criteria are applicable to both repair/renovation projects and new school builds Green Schools Initiative
What is the Goal? • All new schools built in Louisiana should incorporate green building/green design standards • All renovated/repaired schools should incorporate green building/green design standards Green Schools Initiative
Questions for high performance schools • • • Mandatory or Voluntary Self-Certification or Third-Party Green Criteria in Bond Language? High Performance Modernization Linking Construction & Maintenance Budgets Remember-- it’s about the kids Green Schools Initiative
Green Seed Schools • $75 k worth of EE and IAQ Audits • 5 Schools Total in Orleans Parish • Completed: AP Tureaud, International School • In progress: MLK Elementary Green Schools Initiative
Green Seed Schools Energy/Cost Savings • AP Tureaud - saving $26, 588/year (36% improvement) • International School - saving $21, 781/year (34% improvement) Green Schools Initiative
Municipal Green Building Policy Green Schools Initiative
Green Building Policy Opportunities • States and municipalities across the country have adopted green building policies • Momentum is there, global warming is major concern Green Schools Initiative
Examples Austin, Texas First in the country, 1991 Created residential rating tool Now program encompasses residential, multi-family, commercial, and municipal construction Includes: Green Building Guidelines Educational materials Rating systems Marketing plan to create consumer demand Technical expertise Green Schools Initiative
Examples (cont) Los Angeles, CA Program adopted in April 2008 3 Main Components: Green Building Team: hold public meetings, resolve technical issues Standard of Sustainability: Establishes a requirement for non-residential and highresidential (above 6 stories) projects at or above 50, 000 square feet of floor area, or low-rise residential (six stories or less) of 50 or more dwelling units and 50, 000 square feet of floor area, or the alteration or rehabilitation of at least 50, 000 square feet of floor area or 50 or more dwelling units for which construction costs exceed a valuation of 50% of the replacement cost of the existing building Standard of Sustainable Excellence: Establishes an incentive program for projects that register with the USGBC’s LEED program, include a LEED AP, and can demonstrate how they will achieve LEED certification at a Silver or higher level. Green Schools Initiative
State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans Green Schools Initiative
City of New Orleans • Passed Green Building Resolution (2006) • Passed Green Schools Resolution (May 2008). Resulted in efforts to draft ordinance. Green Schools Initiative
State of Louisiana • Three attempts over last several years to pass green building legislation. • 2008: Global Green sponsors legislation • Challenges faced • Now working with Legislator/created USGBC Advocacy Committee Green Schools Initiative
Municipal Green Building Programs • Global Green began advising cities on development of Green Building Programs over 8 years ago. • Have worked directly with: Cities of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Irvine, Pasadena, Santa Clarita. Energy efficiency a core part of each of these programs. • Publication: Developing Green Building Programs: A Step-By-Step Guide for Local Governments • Provided guidance and advice to cities nationally • In development - a model green building program guide Green Schools Initiative
Green Building Programs - How to get started • • Focus on New Construction, Renovation or both? Focus on civic, residential or non-residential buildings? Identify size threshold Identify appropriate green building standard/what type of design verification you want to require Need to consider the following three critical elements: Incentives - expedited permitting? Financial incentives? Administration - who is responsible for oversight/enforcement? Outreach and Education -how will you market the program effectively? Green Schools Initiative
Keys to Effective Policy Making • Implementation and monitoring of policy is CRITICAL • 3 rd party verification is another critical component to developing effective green building policies. • Financing mechanisms such as tax credit programs and bond initiatives provide great opportunity for widespread implementation of green building practices. Green Schools Initiative
Final Note Policy is important but unless it is linked to an action plan, it is not effective Green Schools Initiative
Resources Global Green creates partnerships with cities, developers and non-profit organizations to provide green building support in the form of: • Workshops • Green building guideline or program development • Policy guidance • Tools: Fact Sheets, “How-to” literature • Green Building Resource Centers - Santa Monica, Louisiana Green Schools Initiative
Green Schools Report Green Schools Initiative
Louisiana Developer Fact Sheets Green Schools Initiative
Global Green USA Contact Information 2218 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 581 -2700 www. globalgreen. org Mary Luevano Policy & Legislative Affairs Director mluevano@globalgreen. org Green Schools Initiative
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