MA Green Zoning Codes to become National Standard

Boston was the first city in the nation to enact a Green Building and Zoning Code. It requires that any building over 50,000 square-feet be LEED certifiable, saving up to 30 percent in energy use.
Besides energy savings, the code credits historic preservation and groundwater recharge initiatives as well as transit-pass programs, car-sharing and bike facilities.

There are now 60 LEED-certified buildings in Massachusetts but, because of this code the next generation of buildings in Boston will be all green.

Following the trend initiated in Boston other cities around the country, like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Baltimore are adopting or proposing similar green building and zoning codes.

As the energy crisis deepens, and there is a growing concern over global warming and resulting climate changes, green building becomes a viable alternative to save resources, money and the environment.

News Source: The Boston Herald