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WA State House Passes Efficiency First Bill
04.15.2009 Mithun, Bert's Blog
The legislation to require progressive energy efficiency in all buildings, districts, and neighborhoods in WA state, SB 5854 - 'Reducing climate pollution in the built environment', will move to the Governor for signature next week.
This means that by 2031 Washington state buildings will need to perform, on average, 70% better than required by today’s energy code, with an additional goal to operate fossil-fuel free. California has similar goals, however aiming for net zero by 2020 for residential, and 2030 for commercial buildings.
Achieving 70% better than today’s code (or net zero) means radically different buildings and master plans than we are doing today, such as 40-foot wide commercial and institutional buildings to drive natural cooling, as well as 100% daylight, solar chimneys, geothermal, etc. The WA code revisions will likely first target a 30% reduction below the 2006 WA code, to be initiated somewhere between 2010 and 2012. Prepare for the next era of design. We’re in for some wonderful innovation opportunities and some great places for people.
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