Guam – Senators Dennis Rodriguez and Tom Ada have introduced a measure that would require any new GovGuam building to be designed and constructed with energy saving solutions in order to save GovGuam money.
Bill 230 would require the adoption of relevant portions of the LEED Green Building certification systems standards in any new GovGuam buildings.
LEED promotes sustainable building strategies in five key areas of environmental health:
* sustainable site development
* water savings
* energy efficiency
* materials selection
* indoor environmental quality
In a release, Senator Rodriguez argues that requiring energy efficient designs is not only environmentally responsible but also a necessity for GovGuam.
He is quoted as saying that “Our island needs to implement a recognized sustainable design measuring system that will reduce our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuel and at the same time lower the cost of operation.”
READ Senator Respicio’s release in FULL below:
“Senators propose solutions to lower cost of government operations”
Tamuning, Guam. Senator Dennis G. Rodriguez, Jr. and Senator Thomas C. Ada introduced: Bill No. 230-31 (COR); An Act Mandating New Government of Guam Buildings Integrate Sustainable Design Solutions and Systems, and to Require that Retrofits, Renovations and Alterations to Existing Government Buildings Include Energy Efficient and Sustainable Design Methods.
There is little disagreement that Guam’s energy resources are extremely limited, and that construction codes and practices have resulted in a more costly dependence upon imported resources. It is crucial that Guam adopt an energy efficient building system that is more compatible with our island environment and resources. In many states and municipalities, it has been the government that has taken the first steps in implementing energy efficient practices in the construction or renovation of public structures. Bill 230-31, if passed, will allow the government of Guam to lead by example and encourage the private sector to implement energy efficient designs and practices.
“Our island needs to implement a recognized sustainable design measuring system that will reduce our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuel and at the same time lower the cost of operations, and it is not only environmental responsible but also necessary for our government to make these much needed change,” Senator Rodriguez stated.
The frontrunner in this field is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), an internationally recognized green building certification system. LEED promotes sustainable building strategies, to include a whole-building approach in five key areas of environmental health: sustainable site
development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the International Code Council (ICC), are two other reputable organizations charged with developing our nation’s model energy codes for use by states as the basis for their own building regulations for public and private developments.
“Our Guam Community College’s effort to build the Learning Resource Center using LEED methods is an inspiration for our entire island. As a result, GCC will see a decreased cost in operations that will be passed on to students and an increased ability to better utilize our natural resources,” noted Senator Rodriguez. Presently, there are only two civilian buildings on Guam, the GCC Learning Resource Center and the Coast 360 Federal Credit Union building in Maite, that have incorporated environmentally sustainable methods into their design. A third building on Naval Base Guam has a $54.2M Gold LEED certification for a military project. “Adopting relevant portions of the LEED Green Building certification systems standards, the ASHRAE and the ICC model energy codes into standards for Guam, starting with our government buildings, is a way to not only cut costs but also ensure long-term benefits for our environment. Once we take this first step, I am confident that our community will follow suit,” according to Senator Rodriguez
For more information, please contact the Office of Senator Dennis G. Rodriguez at 649-8638.
PRESS RELEASE
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Ufisinan Todu Guam S E N A T O R D E N N I S G. R O D R I G U E Z, Jr. I Mina’trentai Unu Na Liheslaturan Guåhan CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SENIOR CITIZENS AND ELECTION REFORM Please find Bill 230-31(COR) accompanied by the Press Release. Thanks and have a great day!
Clifton Herbert
176 Serenu Avenue Suite 107 Tamuning, Guam 96931
Telephone: 671.649.8638
Email: Cherbert.senatordrodriguez@gmail.com
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