Governor signs Saldaña's green building legislation
California Political Desk
October 18, 2007
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a measure that would provide incentives for developers to use sustainable building methods in their projects.
Assembly Bill 1460 will add bonus points to applications for funds under the state’s Multifamily Housing Program that include sustainable building design and materials.
The bill’s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), says this incentive approach will make green construction methods more attractive to developers.
Builders who take advantage of the incentive will gain experience incorporating sustainable methods and materials into their projects,” Saldaña said.
In the end, we believe this will help mainstream green construction”
Projects would be assessed for sustainability using existing standards applied to applicants for the low-income housing tax credit program.
Under the tax credit program, points are allocated to project applications that incorporate any of 15 different sustainable building methods, including: construction or rehabilitation projects that exceed energy efficiency standards by specific percentages, use of Energy Star rated appliances, use of water saving fixtures, use of paint, carpeting, or insulation with low off-gassing properties, and use of recycled building materials.
Saldaña, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development, recently toured an affordable rental housing project in Poway that is the first apartment community in California to be fully powered by the sun. She said she was impressed by what is possible using sustainable building methods.
Aside from the environmental benefits, construction that includes energy- and water-saving measures will reduce the amount of income residents expend on their utility bills,” she said.
The Multifamily Housing Program is a state-run program that provides low-interest loans for new construction and rehabilitation of rental housing, for occupancy by lower-income households.
Assembly Bill 1460 will add bonus points to applications for funds under the state’s Multifamily Housing Program that include sustainable building design and materials.
The bill’s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), says this incentive approach will make green construction methods more attractive to developers.
Builders who take advantage of the incentive will gain experience incorporating sustainable methods and materials into their projects,” Saldaña said.
In the end, we believe this will help mainstream green construction”
Projects would be assessed for sustainability using existing standards applied to applicants for the low-income housing tax credit program.
Under the tax credit program, points are allocated to project applications that incorporate any of 15 different sustainable building methods, including: construction or rehabilitation projects that exceed energy efficiency standards by specific percentages, use of Energy Star rated appliances, use of water saving fixtures, use of paint, carpeting, or insulation with low off-gassing properties, and use of recycled building materials.
Saldaña, who is chair of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development, recently toured an affordable rental housing project in Poway that is the first apartment community in California to be fully powered by the sun. She said she was impressed by what is possible using sustainable building methods.
Aside from the environmental benefits, construction that includes energy- and water-saving measures will reduce the amount of income residents expend on their utility bills,” she said.
The Multifamily Housing Program is a state-run program that provides low-interest loans for new construction and rehabilitation of rental housing, for occupancy by lower-income households.
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