By Tim Goodrich- Printed in the Daily Breeze October 17, 2007
It’s a shame that Assemblyman Lieu’s bill to increase the number of green buildings in California was vetoed by the Governor. AB 888 would have provided the triple benefit of saving businesses money, creating much needed jobs in our state, and being environmentally friendly.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings are not new. Many, including the highest rating of platinum, have already been constructed across the United States for the same amount of money, or less, than a traditional building. Monetary savings would then come in the form of lower utility bills for the owner of the building during its lifespan.
AB 888 would have also created new green-collar jobs throughout California in the emerging environmental sector. California is already a leader of green technology when compared to the rest of the country. We should expand upon this opportunity and make our state a leader in environmental jobs worldwide.
Finally, our environment will suffer from the stroke of the veto pen. This bill applies only to buildings over 50,000 square feet; the largest and therefore the most wasteful and polluting. For the prosperity of the country and future generations, it is essential that we conserve our natural resources and protect the air we breathe.