COG Urges Region to Embrace Green Building Standards

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has approved regional environmentally friendly green building standards it hopes will be adopted by all area governments.

The new standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council would cover construction of new government and commercial structures. New buildings would be rated on a scale of whether they incorporate such features as energy efficient systems, storm-water runoff controls and ways to reduce waste from construction.

COG's director of environmental planning Stuart Freudberg says the only way the Washington region can accommodate expected growth and maintain quality of life is through measures like green building.

The goals adopted by the council of governments Wednesday excludes schools for now. But the board expects to eventually adopt green building standards for existing buildings, schools and residential properties.

Several jurisdictions have already adopted green building standards including D.C., Arlington and Fairfax counties in Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)