State and Local Governmental Initiatives (Mid-Atlantic Region)

Jurisdiction

Legislative Initiative

State of Maryland

Proposed - All new state buildings, and major renovations of existing state buildings, that are 7,500 square feet or greater (including university bldg projects) must meet the LEED Silver standard; 2) beginning July 2009, all new K-12 public schools must meet the LEED Silver standard. 

Baltimore County, MD

On June 5, 2006, the County Council passed bill # 85-06 that gives a county property tax credit to any commercial building that achieves LEED for New Construction Silver certification. The duration of the tax credit is for ten consecutive years.

Baltimore City, MD

On August 14, 2007, Mayor Dixon signed into law Council Bill 07-0602 amending the Baltimore City Revised Code to require all city and city-funded projects greater than 10,000 square feet budgeted or permitted before July 1, 2009 to achieve a minimum of LEED Certified of the appropriate LEED Rating System. All city and city-funded buildings greater than 10,000 square feet budgeted for FY 2010 or permitted after July 1, 2009 will be required to earn a minimum of LEED Silver certification.  The building official is directed to deny occupancy permits and certificates of completion for noncompliant projects. Successful achievement of energy and environmental design standards deemed by the city building official to be equivalent to the minimum required levels of LEED are in compliance with this code.

Prince Georges County, MD

January 2008, County Executive signs order to establish incentives for both new and existing private commercial buildings to achieve LEED Silver rating.

Howard County, MD

On July 30, 2007, Howard County passed Bill #47-2008, requiring all civic construction (new construction, major renovation and core & shell) to achieve LEED Silver. Private construction greater than 50,000 gsf is required to achieve LEED Certified. Projects seeking LEED Gold or Platinum enjoy expedited permitting. On the same day, Bill #49-2007 established a tax credit against taxes imposed on LEED-NC and LEED-CS certified buildings for five years: 25% for LEED Silver, 50% for LEED Gold and 75% for LEED Platinum. County tax credits for buildings certified under LEED for Existing Buildings extend for three years: 10% for LEED Silver, 25% for LEED Gold and 50% for LEED Platinum. These tax credits will be available for tax years beginning after June 30, 2008.

Montgomery County, MD

On November 28, 2006, the county council approved Bill 17-06 requiring publicly-financed buildings of at least 10,000 square feet gross floor area to achieve LEED Silver or an equivalent standard. Private-sector, non-residential or multi-family residential buildings of at least 10,000 square feet gross floor area are required to achieve LEED Certified or an equivalent standard.

Annapolis, MD

Proposed bill to require all new construction and major renovations to achieve LEED certification, including single family homes, commercial and public projects.

Laurel, MD

Proposed bill to require all commercial and public projects to achieve LEED Silver.

Commonwealth of VA

On April 5, 2007 Gov. Tim Kaine signed Executive Order 48, “Energy Efficiency in State Government,” which set out to reduce non-renewable energy purchases and increase overall energy savings. As part of instituting the energy saving goals, the order instructs all state agencies and institutions constructing state-owned facilities over 5,000 gross square feet in size, and renovations of such buildings valued at 50% of the assessed building value, shall be designed and constructed consistent with the energy performance standards at least as stringent as LEED or EPA’s Energy Star rating. In addition, the order instructs the Commonwealth to encourage the private sector to adopt energy-efficient building standards by giving preference when leasing facilities for state use to facilities meeting LEED or Energy Star.

Alexandria City, VA

The City's Department of General Services developed a Green Building Policy and adopted by the City Manager in February 2004. The policy establishes procedures for analyzing LEED feasibility for facilities 5,000 square feet or greater, outlines staff resource and training goals, and it identifies program participation opportunities, including Energy Star, Rebuild America, and the USGBC.

Arlington County, VA

Arlington County's Green Building Incentive Program, adopted in 1999 and expanded in 2003, allows commercial projects and private developments earning LEED Silver certification to develop sites at a higher density than conventional projects. All site plan applications for commercial projects are required to include a LEED Scorecard and have a LEED Accredited Professional on the project team regardless of whether or not the project intends to seek LEED certification. All projects must contribute to a green building fund for county-wide education and outreach activities. The contribution is refunded if projects earn LEED certification. Arlington sponsors a voluntary green home program that encourages builders of new single-family homes to incorporate energy efficient and other green building components in their projects. The County offers "front-of-the-line" plan review, site signs, and publicity to program participants who achieve a given number of points as outlined by Arlington's Green Home Choice program.

Washington, DC

On December 5, 2006 the Washington DC City Council passed Bill # B16-0515 requiring publicly-owned, non-residential, commercial projects to achieve either LEED for New Construction or LEED for Core and Shell Silver certification. After the summer of 2007 new Public schools will be required to achieve LEED for Schools certification or an equivalent schools rating system that requires commissioning.
In 2008, each tenant of a commercial building that improves a District-owned space of 30,000 square feet or more will be required to achieve LEED for Commercial Interiors certification.

In 2009, all new construction or major renovations to non-residential, private buildings 50,000 square feet or more must submit a green building checklist outlining green features that will be pursued. After 2012, non-residential and post-secondary educational facilities shall achieve LEED for New Construction or LEED for Core and Shell certification.

Bill #B16-0515 also called on the mayor to establish an incentive program for private residential and commercial buildings. Incentives will include an expedited permit review and may also include grants. The mayor will also establish a Green Building Fund for technical assistance and monitoring of green buildings, education, and incentive funding for private buildings.

                                                                       Federal Initiatives                       

The following federal agencies have adopted LEED requirements for all new construction projects and new space that they intend to occupy

NASA

Dept. of Agriculture

Dept of Defense:            Army, AF, Navy

Dept of Energy

Dept of Health and Human Services

Dept. of Interior

Dept. of State

Environmental Protection Agency

General Services Administration