NEWS FROM: Council President De La Fuente

July 17, 2008

COUNCIL PRESIDENT DE LA FUENTE ANNOUNCES RESIDENTIAL GREEN BUILDING ORDINANCE

Initiative brings together environmental and homebuilding efforts in Oakland

OAKLAND, CA – City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente announced today that he is preparing a Green Building Ordinance for residential development in Oakland. Partnering with the Home Builders Association of Northern California (HBANC), Built It Green, the Planning Commission, the local building industry, and environmental organizations, Council President De La Fuente wants to bring stakeholders together to develop a meaningful green building policy.

“I think we can balance the needs of the housing industry and the environment and in fact find some common ground. We can continue to build much needed housing in Oakland while also addressing health and climate change,” said President De La Fuente.

As energy prices increase and the threat of global warming becomes more pertinent, cities like Oakland must develop a holistic approach to addressing energy problems. “At a time when rising gas prices and concerns about global warming are pushing consumers to change their behavior, building green makes good business sense,” said Joseph Perkins, president and CEO of the HBANC said. “Ensuring we have clear, flexible and consistent green building standards like Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated system will enable the home building industry to continue producing green homes that are affordable for Oakland’s working families.”

The proposal follows many environmental and smart growth initiatives in Oakland. “Promoting investment in Oakland has always been a priority of mine and residents of Oakland want to see leadership on energy and global warming issues. A Green Building Ordinance would certainly be a step into the right direction at this time,” said Council President De La Fuente.

The following provisions are proposed for the ordinance, which will be refined for presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council CED Committee in September:

·       Use GreenPoint Rated system developed by Build It Green (http://www.builditgreen.org/greenpoint-rated)

·       Require achievement of 50 GreenPoint Rating with minimum points required in Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation.

·       Applies to residential developments of 20 units or larger (this may be lowered in final proposal).  Includes City projects, affordable housing, and multi-family projects. Remodels may also be included.

·       Effective for all new applications after January 1, 2009.

Built It Green, developer of the GreenPoint Rated system is an Alameda County based non-profit that works with stakeholders in the housing industry to provide essential services for green housing practices. GreenPoint Rated buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well-being of their occupants and support a healthy community and natural environment. Council President De La Fuente is proud to be working side by side with progressive organizations to promote the well being of Oaklanders.

Council President De La Fuente stated that “despite the very difficult times in the housing industry, I know I have the support of homebuilders to craft a meaningful green building ordinance so Oakland can continue to be at the forefront of smart growth and protecting environment for future generations.”

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