Architects and Sustainable Design
Green Building Executive Orders in the United States
Green/High Performance Buildings- Executive
Orders in the United States
The following map displays states (in green) with
Executive Orders encouraging the state bodies responsible for
state-funded building projects to implement green/high-performance
building standards.
Green = States with
Executive Orders encouraging the use of green/high-performance
building standards
White = States without Executive Orders addressing the issue of
green/high-performance building
Arizona
Gov. Janet Napolitano signed Executive Order #2005-05 on February
11, 2005. The Order states that all Executive Branch agencies
should implement, to the extent practicable, the following
standards in all new state-funded facilities.
a. Renewable Energy: All new state-funded buildings constructed
after the date of the Executive Order shall be designed and
constructed to derive at least ten percent (10%) of their energy
from a renewable resource.
b. Energy Efficiency: The design for all state-funded buildings
constructed after the date of the Executive Order will include
energy efficiency standards consistent with the Arizona Revised
Statutes 34-451 and Executive Order 2003-14.
c. LEED Standard: All state-funded buildings constructed after the
date of the Executive Order will meet at least the
“silver” Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
standard.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order #S-20-04 on
December 14, 2004. The Order states that California state agencies,
departments, and other entities under the direct executive
authority of the Governor must cooperate in taking measures to
reduce grid-based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20%
by 2015, through cost-effective efficiency measures and distributed
generation technologies; these measures should include but not be
limited to:
2.1. Designing, constructing and operating all new and renovated
state-owned facilities paid for with state funds as "LEED Silver"
or higher certified buildings; and
2.2. Identifying the most appropriate financing and project
delivery mechanisms to achieve these goals; and
2.3. Seeking out office space leases in buildings with a U.S. EPA
Energy Star rating; and
2.4. Purchasing or operating Energy Star electrical equipment
whenever cost-effective.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Colorado
Gov. Bill Owens signed Executive Order #D005 05 on July 15, 2005.
The Order directs the Executive Directors of all state agencies and
departments to evaluate their current business operations and
develop and implement policies and procedures to promote
environmentally sustainable and economically efficient practices,
including, but not limited to:
i. Adopting the United States Green Buildings Council’s
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating
System for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) in operating, maintaining
and managing existing buildings, to the extent applicable and
practicable.
ii. Incorporating LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) practices to
design energy and resource efficient new buildings, to the extent
that this is deemed cost-effective.
iii. Initiating an energy management program to monitor and manage
utility usage and
costs, as resources become available.
B. I hereby direct the Executive Directors of the Governor’s
Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Department of Public
Health and Environment, and Department of Personnel and
Administration, to establish a Colorado Greening Government
Coordinating Council to include representatives from each state
agency and department.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Florida
On November, 10, 2005, Governor Jeb Bush issued Executive Order
#05-241 which, among other things, explored options for increasing
the State’s conservation and efficiency initiatives. As a
result of the Executive Order, the State Department for
Environmental Protection has recommended that the State require all
new government buildings to meet U.S. Green Building Council LEED
standards.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Maine
Gov. John Baldacci issued an Executive Order on November 24,
2003 regarding the use of LEED building standards for state
buildings. The Order states:
1. The design, construction, operation and maintenance of any new
or expanded State building shall incorporate the standards
developed by the United States Green Building Council’s
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (“LEED”)
Version 2.1, or the most recent version, to achieve maximum energy
efficiency and environmental sustainability, provided this can be
accomplished on a cost-effective basis, considering construction
and operating costs over the life cycle of the building being
constructed or expanded.
2. The design, construction, operation and maintenance of any
existing State building to be renovated shall incorporate the
standards developed by the United States Green Building
Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
(“LEED”) Version LEED-EB, or the most recent version, to
achieve maximum energy efficiency and environmental sustainability
relevant to the scope of the renovation, provided this can be
accomplished on a cost-effective basis, considering construction
and operating costs over the life cycle of the improvement.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Maryland
In 2001, the Governor issued an Executive Order calling for
all capital projects greater than 5,000 gsf to earn
LEED certification. The Executive Order also requires
Maryland to develop a High Efficiency Green Buildings Program
committed to utilizing energy efficient and environmentally
responsible approaches in the design, construction, operations,
maintenance and deconstruction of all new and, to the extent
possible, existing State owned and leased facilities.
To view the Executive Order, click here.
Michigan
Gov. Granholm signed Executive Order #2005-4 on April 22, 2005. The
Order states that the Department of Management and Budget shall
establish an energy efficiency savings target for all state
buildings managed by the Department or another department or agency
within the Executive Branch of state government. The goal shall be
to attain a 10% reduction in energy use by December 31, 2008 and a
20% reduction in grid-based energy purchases by December 31, 2015,
when compared to energy use and energy purchases for the state
fiscal year ending September 30, 2002.
On or before December 31, 2006, the Department shall implement
Energy Conservation Measures and specific best management practices
to improve energy efficiency.
The Department shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that
all new construction and major renovation of state-owned
facilities, including all capital outlay projects, shall be
accomplished consistent with LEED guidelines and standards, and
shall score a minimum of 26 points on the LEED scorecard
established by the United States Green Building Council, which is
the minimum score required for LEED-certified status. The policies
and procedures required under this paragraph shall apply to
state-leased facilities to the extent feasible.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
New Jersey
Gov. James McGreevey signed Executive Order #24 in July 2002. The
Order states that all new school designs shall incorporate the
guidelines developed by the United States Green Building Council
known as "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design ("LEED"),
Version 2.0 to achieve maximum energy efficiency and environmental
sustainability in the design of schools.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
New Mexico
On January 16, 2006, Governor Bill Richardson signed Executive
Order #06-001 requiring all public buildings over 15,000 sq. ft. to
be LEED Silver certified. The order further mandates that all other
new construction, renovations, repairs, and replacements of state
buildings shall employ cost effective, energy-efficient, green
building practices to the maximum extent possible.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
New York
Gov. George Pataki issued an Executive Order in June 2001
encouraging state agencies to be more energy efficient and
environmentally aware. With regards to State Buildings Energy
Efficiency Practices the Order states:
State agencies and other affected entities shall implement energy
efficiency practices with respect to the operation and maintenance
of all buildings that they own, lease, or operate….State
agencies and other affected entities shall strive to meet the
ENERGY STAR building criteria for energy performance and indoor
environmental quality in their existing buildings to the maximum
extent practicable.
In the design, construction, operation and maintenance of new
buildings, state agencies and other affected agencies shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, follow guidelines for the construction
of “green buildings,” including guidelines set forth in
Tax Law 19, which created the Green Buildings Tax Credit, and the
U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Rhode Island
Gov. Donald Carcieri signed Executive Order 05-14 on August 22,
2005. The Order sets Energy and Environmental Performance Standards
for Public Buildings. The Order states:
The design, construction, operation and maintenance of any new,
substantially expanded, or renovated public building shall
incorporate and meet the standards developed by the United States
Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design (“LEED”). Each such public building
shall endeavor to qualify for certification at or above the LEED
“silver” level.
The design, construction, operation and maintenance of any new,
substantially expanded, or renovated public building shall also
evaluate feasible energy-efficiency measures on the basis of their
total life-cycle costs of installation, operation, and
maintenance.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.
Wisconsin
On April 11, 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed Executive Order
145 which directs the Department of Administration to establish and
adopt guidelines based on LEED for new construction and LEED for
existing buildings within 6 months. Any project that requests LEED
certification as part of the initial project request will be
supported by the Department of Administration.
To view the Executive Order, click
here.