US Green Building Council Releases International Green Construction Code
Posted May 3rd, 2012
Small steps are being taken to further protect people and the environment through construction and design.
On March 28, 2012, the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) was released and will increase the energy efficiency of structures, while providing government direction and oversight of green design and construction. The International Code Council (ICC) applauded the new model code, as it serves as an important new policy option for state and local governments looking to codify green building practice.
Brendan Owens, vice president of LEED Technical Development, USGBC said, “The IgCC and Standard 189.1 draw from more than a decade of national and regional leadership programs that road-tested green building practices, methods and materials,”
“These pioneering efforts broke important new ground that has enabled the IgCC to mainstream green building practices that were previously considered innovative in a foundation intended for minimum code language.”
The 2012 IgCC, which incorporates the 2011 version of Standard 189.1 as an optional path to compliance, offers a new code baseline that can be tailored by state and local governments to share many of the benefits of green buildings with the millions of buildings that are designed, constructed and renovated to meet minimum code, whether or not they are engaged in the LEED program.
“The IgCC published today was developed during the last three years with input from code and construction industry professionals, environmental organizations, policy makers and the public,” said Richard P. Weiland, CEO of the ICC that developed the new code. “Our community was diligent in developing a code that is not only adoptable, usable and enforceable, but also flexible and adaptable. We expect this new model code, like the family of other ICC Codes, to be adopted across the country and used globally.
LEED is the world’s foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. More than 45,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising 8.4 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries. In addition, nearly 19,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with over 75,500 more homes registered.
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