California is one of America’s most polluting, and most anti-pollution, states.  While they have a serious problem with smog and emissions, they’re also the leaders of the green revolution.  They were one of the first states to have strict emissions laws for cars, and now they’re the first US state to have a green building code.  The new law, called CALGREEN, is part of California’s attempt to slash emissions by 33% by 2020.

The laws don’t go into effect until January 1, 2011, but they’re the strictest in the nation.  CALGREEN covers everything from how much waste has to be recycled during construction to the types of materials used in construction and the requirement of separate indoor and outdoor water meters to better track water consumption and waste!  Water use must be cut by 20%, 50% of construction waste must be recycled, and all HVAC systems have to be inspected under the new law.  No stone is unturned.  California may not have many of the greenest cities in the US, but they’re trying to become the greenest state.

Tags: California, architecture, green building, California adopts state-wide green building code, building codes, environmentalism, protecting the environment, home design, urban planning, first state-wide green building requirement, CALGREEN, California Building Standards Commission

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