NJ: Green Buildings Promoted

Green buildings promoted under five new bills in Legislature

February 11, 2011 - A five-bill package designed to encourage the proliferation of environmentally-friendly buildings, was approved by the Environment and Solid Waste Committee on this week.
The bills aim to encourage the incorporation of green and blue roofs into the design of new and existing buildings. Green and Blue Roofs use vegetation or mechanical devices, respectively, to prevent roof water from draining too quickly, not only improve storm water management but also provide cost saving opportunities, such as more efficient energy usage for heating and cooling.

The first bill (A-3678) would provide projects that include the construction and maintenance of a green or blue roof with additional weight in the ranking system used by the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program to determine which projects receive financing.

The second bill (A-3679) would require any new state government building, facility, or structure with at least 15,000 square feet in total floor area to be designed, constructed, and managed to include a functioning green roof or blue roof. {continued}