Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Many states and local governments, as well as the federal government, have chosen to lead by example by requiring new government buildings to meet strict energy standards. DSIRE includes policies that have established green building standards, energy-reduction goals, equipment procurement requirements, and/or life-cycle cost analyses for publicly-owned buildings. Many of these policies require that new government buildings (and renovated buildings, in some cases) attain a certain level of certification under the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Equipment-procurement policies often mandate the use of the most efficient equipment, such as equipment that meets the federal Energy Star standard, for new buildings. Life-cycle cost analysis policies generally require government entities to consider energy costs (including equipment and construction) over a planned new buildings entire life-cycle. [1]
Energy Standards for Public Buildings Incentives