PC 2002-60 - Laserfiche WebLink

17.50.020 Findings. The City finds that: a. Green building design, construction, and operation can have a significant positive effect on energy and resource efficiency, waste and pollution generation, and the health and productivity of a building's occupants over the life of the building. b. Green building benefits are spread throughout the systems and features of the building. Green buildings may use recycled-content building materials, consume less energy and water, have better indoor air quality, and use less wood fiber than conventional buildings. Construction waste is often recycled and remanufactured into other building products. c. Design and construction decisions made by the City in the construction and remodeling of City buildings can result in significant energy cost savings to the City over the life of the buildings. d. Based on studies by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, construction and demolition debris comprises up to 21 % of materials disposed in Alameda County landfills and opportunities exist for reducing the generation of this waste. e. In recent years, green building design, construction and operational techniques have become increasingly widespread. Many homeowners, businesses, and building professionals have voluntarily sought to incorporate green building techniques into their projects. A number of local and national systems have been developed to serve as guides to green building practices. At the national level, the U. S. Green Building Council, developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) Commercial Green Building Rating System and LEEDTM Reference Guide, has become a leader in promoting and guiding green building.