California

On December 14, 2005 Executive Order S-20-04 was signed, creating a Green Building Action Plan to improve the energy performance of all state buildings and reduce grid-based energy usage in state buildings by 20% of 2003 levels by 2015. Under this order, all new and renovated buildings must be rated to at least the “Silver” level of LEED* standards. Agencies are also required to seek out office space leases in buildings with the ENERGY STAR rating for spaces of 5,000 square feet or more, to identify the most appropriate ways of achieving energy efficiency in their buildings, and to purchase ENERGY STAR products when cost effective.  

Connecticut

HB 7432, enacted in 2007 creates a new state building construction standard applicable to all state buildings depending on renovation costs. The standard must meet or exceed LEED silver standard or 2 globes under the green globes standard. The standard applies to:

• Any new construction of a state facility that is projected to cost $5 million or more, of which two million dollars or more is state funding, and is approved and funded on or after January 1, 2008.
• Renovation of a state facility that is projected to cost two million dollars or more, of which two million dollars or more is state funding, approved and funded on or after January 1, 2008.
• New construction of a facility that is projected to cost five million dollars, or more, of which two million dollars or more is state funding, and is authorized by the General Assembly on or after January 1, 2009.
• Renovation of a public school facility that is projected to cost two million dollars or more, of which two million dollars or more is state funding, and is authorized by the General Assembly on or after January 1, 2009.

Florida

Executive order 07-126, signed in July 2007, directs the Department of Management Services to adopt the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED*-NC) for all new buildings, and to strive for Platinum Level certification. The Department of Management Services must also renovate all existing buildings they own and operate on behalf of client agencies to earn certification under LEED for Existing Buildings (EB).

Hawaii

Signed by the governor in 2006, HRS §196 requires each state agency to meet, to the extent possible, LEED Silver standards, two globes for the green globes standards, or other similar standards.

Maine

On November 23, 2003,  an Executive Order was signed requiring state buildings owned or operated by any state agency, board, office, commission, or department, including institutions of higher learning, to incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED*) standards into the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of any new, expanded, or existing building, provided it is cost-effective.

Massachusetts

In 2007, the  Executive Order 484 was signed, instructing all agencies involved in the construction and major renovation projects of over 20,000 square feet to meet LEED* certification and energy performance 20% better than required by the Massachusetts Energy Code by 2012 and 35% by 2020.

Nevada

In addition, the state energy office must adopt guidelines establishing Green Building Standards for all occupied public buildings whose construction will be sponsored or financed by the State or a local government. This includes adopting a Green Building Rating System, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED*) Green Building Rating System or its equivalent.  Effective July 1st, 2007, each occupied public building whose construction will be sponsored or financed by the state must, when completed, meet the requirements to be certified at or meet the equivalent of the base level or higher in accordance with the LEED System, or an equivalent standard. Buildings financed by a local government are not required to meet the efficiency standards.

Tax incentives for green buildings have been quite successful--As of June 2007, nearly 63 million square feet of development space in Nevada had applied for LEED certification. Green buildings, depending on their level of attainment according to the LEED system, receive property tax rebates from 25 - 35 percent for up to 10 years.

New Jersey

On July 29th, 2002, New Jersey’s governor signed Executive Order #24, requiring all new school designs to incorporate LEED Version 2.0 guidelines to achieve maximum energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in school facilities.  

New Mexico

In 2006, Exective Order 2006-001 was signed, calling for all Executive Branch state agencies, including the Higher Education Department, to adopt the US Green Buildings Council’s LEED* rating system. New construction of public buildings over 15,000 square feet or using over 50 kW peak electrical demand and renovations involving the replacement of more than 3 major systems (HVAC, lighting, etc.) must achieve a minimum rating of LEED “Silver”. Projects between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet must achieve a minimum delivered energy performance standard of one half of the US energy consumption for that building type as defined by the US Department of Energy

Rhode Island

Executive Order 05-14, signed in 2005, requires any new, substantially expanded, or renovated building owned by the state, and state agencies, departments, offices, boards, commissions, and institutions of higher learning to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED*) design, construction, operation, and maintenance standards. Buildings must be designed to qualify for LEED “Silver” certification.

South Carolina

SC enacted  HB 3034 in June which requires All major facility projects in this State to be designed, constructed, and at least certified as receiving two globes using the Green Globes Rating System or receiving the LEED Silver standard.

Washington

A 2005 law (Wash. Rev. Code §§39.1-11) requires public buildings to be built using the high-performance green LEED Silver standards. The law applies to public facility projects funded by the capital budget, including public agencies and public school districts, and requires the facilities to document their operational savings. A main difference between the 2005 law and the 2005 order is the definition of major projects: the executive order includes projects over 25,000 gross square feet, whereas the bill includes projects larger than 5,000 gross square feet.  Approximately 25 buildings that will meet the new standards are under construction and renovation—data on costs and energy saving will not be available until 2009.   To assist builders in meeting requirements, the state offer a free build LEED training for public project contractors and an  integrated design workshop to identify LEED points as the project gets going.   Affordable housing will also be covered by energy efficient building requirements beginning on July 1, 2008.

Washington’s recently updated Energy Code establishes performance requirements for all newly constructed buildings.  In addition, a lifecycle energy cost analysis must be performed on public buildings undergoing new construction or major remodels, with the goal of achieving lowest possible energy costs.

Source: NCSL and the North Carolina Database for Energy Incentives and Energy Efficiency , www.dsireusa.org.