(Washington, DC) On October 1, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) will begin implementing the District's pioneering Green Building Act by:

1. Phasing in green construction requirements, over 5 years, using US Green Building Council (USGBC) standards
2. Collecting a green building fee which will finance a Green Building Fund 
3. Using the Green Building Fund to: 

• Offer faster permit processing and other incentives to builders and renovators who LEED the way–use the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, in their projects
• Expand the Department’s capacity to conduct green building plan reviews and inspections
• Educate builders, renovators, businesses, and residents who want to learn how to build green 

The expedited permitting approach results from the collaborative efforts of the Green Building Task Force, made up of green building experts, building industry professionals, nonprofits, environmentalists, and government officials. The Task Force aimed to provide fiscal and time savings to developers who LEED the way--making environmentally friendly buildings equally attractive to all developers.  

Many mistakenly believe that green buildings cost more than conventional buildings. While building green can add about 2 percent to construction costs, this up-front investment is recovered through:

• Lower energy, waste disposal, water/sewerage, and overall operation costs
• Lower environmental and emissions costs
• Enhanced asset value of facilities
• Better risk and liability management 

One recent study showed that a green school can save enough operating costs each year to hire one more teacher.

Green buildings can create healthier work, living and learning places--using natural light and cleansing indoor air. Removing indoor contaminants and improving ventilation can reduce asthma symptoms and other health problems that many DC youths and elderly people endure.

The Green Building Fund will be financed with a green building fee:

• $0.0020 per square foot of new construction
• .13 percent of the value of additions, alterations and repairs between $1,000 and $1 million; and .065 percent of values over $1 million 

Last year, the District enacted the most ambitious green building legislation in the country – the Green Building Act of 2006. While most major metropolises are turning to green codes, their policies have focused solely on public buildings. DC was the first major US city aiming to require both private and public buildings to be environmentally friendly and energy-saving.

In fiscal year 2008, the District will require DC government buildings to go green. By 2012, all new and renovated buildings larger than 50,000 square feet–public and private–must conform to green standards. 

"Mayor Fenty has called the District one of the greenest cities in the nation," said DCRA Acting Director Linda K. Argo. "DCRA is proud to join efforts to make our home more environmentally responsible and sustainable."