Going Green: Adopting and Instituting Green Building Initiatives in Charles County, Maryland

Introduction

According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the impact of U.S. buildings is:

➔ 36% of total energy consumption➔ 65% of total electricity consumption➔ 30% of greenhouse gas emissions➔ 30% of raw materials use globally➔ 30% of waste output➔ 12% of potable water consumption

How Can Charles County Become Greener?

Green Building

What is it?

US Green Building Council (USGBC): A leader in the field

USGBC LEEDTM Rating System

Benefits of Green Building

Environmental benefits ● Helps to enhance and

protect ecosystems and biodiversity

● Improves air and water quality

● Reduces solid waste/construction waste

● Conserves natural resources

Benefits of Green Building – Con't.

Economic Benefits● Reduces operating costs● Improves employee

productivity and satisfaction

● Optimizes life-cycle economic performance

● Reduces demand on water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure

Green is Going Mainstream

Companies Companies like Wal-Mart are

greening up their buildings. Home Depot offers green

products like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and low or no VOC paint.

Target stores carry environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Organic foods are available at more grocery stores.

Green is Going Mainstream

Public and Non-Profit Sectors

National Association of Counties (NACO) Green Government Initiative

St. Mary's County Green Schools Governor O'Malley's green

initiatives Intergovernmental Green

Building Group (IGBG) At least 11 out of 23 Maryland

Counties are working to implement green building.

Green Building in Charles County

Only a few examples of green buildings in Charles County

Several County documents discuss the need for green building– Comprehensive Plan– Waldorf Sub-Area Plan– Land Preservation,

Parks and Recreation Plan

Case Study – Arlington County, VA

Green Building Incentive program

Green Building Fund

Arlington County's Green Home Choice Program (Voluntary)

4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia

Case Study – Howard County, MD

Green building mandated for new construction of both publicly funded and non-publicly funded buildings

Green Neighborhoods

Property tax credits

Case Study – Chicago, IL

The Chicago Standard for Municipal Buildings

Chicago Green Roof Initiative

Green Homes for Chicago

Green Bungalow Initiative

LEEDTM Certified staff members

Recommendations to Consider

1. All new public buildings and facilities, including schools, to be constructed as green buildings using the LEEDTM rating system as a guide.

2. Remodel existing public buildings and facilities.

3. Create a long-term green building plan for all construction in Charles County.

Recommendations to Consider

4. Encourage voluntary participation in LEEDTM Certification for any:

● Private commercial projects● Private residential projects

● Utilize incentives such as: ● density bonuses● expedited permit processing● reduced permitting fees● tax incentives

Recommendations to Consider

5. Provide ongoing education to the private sector and the public at large on green building and the LEEDTM Certification process, as well as the County's future goals for green building implementation.

6. Add green building incentives to the Zoning Ordinance.

Recommendations to Consider

7. Require green building through various County regulations for all types of development.

8. Continue ongoing research to stay active/current with the green building field, especially public and private initiatives in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.

Conclusion

Green buildings can help Charles County to balance environmental stewardship with implementation of our Comprehensive Plan.

Green building can help to improve the quality of life for Charles County residents.

As more jurisdictions become greener, this will have a significant positive impact on the environment and human health.