Agencies Falling Short of Green Standards
June 18, 2012
Agencies are struggling to renovate their existing buildings or build new ones to meet green standards, according to http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/Press_Releases/June_15_2012">scorecards released by the Office of Management and Budget Friday.
The Defense Department had to have 7 percent or more of its buildings rated "green" last year — but only 0.3 percent are.
To be considered green, a newly constructed building must use 30 percent less energy than a typical building of the same size. Renovated buildings must use 20 percent less energy. Also, buildings considered green must meet certain standards for water efficiency, recycling, indoor air quality and low-emission paints and sealants, among other things.