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Monday, June 22, 2009
Mandatory Green Building Laws
In 2007, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy proposed
new government-wide “green purchasing policies and affirmative procurement programs” for all government contracts
and acquisitions. The intention of these new federal policies is to give preference to green products and services, to green
buildings when the government leases facilities, and to construction contractors who follow green practices.
The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act requires that federal
buildings be designed to reduce fossil-fuel-generated energy consumption progressively over the years.
For the government's purposes, green is measured using a variety of
different yardsticks and definitions, including LEED certification, EnergyStar awards, and products designated by the Federal
Energy Management Program.
Studies have shown that
these “green buildings” are commanding higher purchase prices in the marketplace, compared to their less eco-friendly
counterparts.
4:51 pm pdt
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