San Francisco Embraces Greener, Energy Efficient Buildings
SAN FRANCISCO, California, July 6, 2004 (ENS) – San Francisco has adopted a Green Building Ordinance, set to take effect in September, that will require many new city construction projects, renovations, or building additions to follow green building design principles. The aim of the law is to increase energy efficiency, promote the environment, and increase employee productivity. "This Green Building Ordinance will translate into millions in savings on future operational costs on new construction," said Jared Blumenfeld, director of SF Environment, the city's environmental department. The Green Building Ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Tom Ammiano, requires that all, city-owned facilities and leaseholds will need to achieve at least a LEED Silver certification. LEED, the green building rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council, stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is rebuilding to be a natural history museum and research center that is not only one of the largest but one of the greenest in the country. The museum is projected for the highest rating, LEED Platinum. The 370,000 square feet facility will feature solar panels and an environmentally friendly roof that will capture and reclaim millions gallons of […]