City of Burbank’s Green Building Programs

Designing and constructing high performance buildings, preferably with sustainable building methods, is good business as well as preferred environmental practice. Acknowledging this, the City of Burbank created two ordinances in 2004—the Green Building and Sustainable Architecture Ordinance and the Construction and Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance—and in 2006 created a Burbank Water and Power Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification Incentive Program.

1. BWP’s LEED Incentive Program

What is LEED and Why Should We Care?

The economic and environmental impact of commercial and residential buildings in the United States is profound. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, United States commercial buildings account for:

• 65% of electricity consumption
• 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
• 30% of raw materials use
• 30% of waste output – 136 million tons annually
• 12% of potable water consumption

The U.S. Green Building Council is a national non-profit organization founded in 1993 to promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. In recognition of the impact that commercial and residential buildings have on the environment, the Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

The LEED Green Building Rating System issues points across five categories to those striving to attain LEEDs status for new commercial construction or major renovation of commercial buildings, as well as multi-family and mixed-use developments that are five units or greater, or four stories or higher. Up to 69 points are attainable, awarded in these categories:

• Energy and Atmosphere (27%)
• Indoor Environmental Quality (23%)
• Sustainable Sites (22%)
• Materials and Resources (20%)
• Water Efficiency (8%)

Depending on the total points awarded, one of four LEED Certification levels will have been achieved:

• Certified Level 26 – 32 points
• Silver Level 33 – 38 points
• Gold Level 39 – 51 points
• Platinum Level 52 – 69 points

Energy Benefits of LEED Certification

Beyond boasting rights, achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification carries with it reduced operating costs and the anticipation of lowered employee absenteeism and turnover rates. According to a 2003 Report entitled “The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings,” on average, green buildings in California use 30% less energy than conventional buildings. The author’s research shows that this average reduction in a 100,000 square foot building is worth $44,000 annually, with the 20-year present value of expected energy savings worth over half a million dollars. Additionally, the energy reductions realized through the design and construction of green buildings reduce pollution and lower the environmental impact of conventional power generation.

While there is limited data currently available to precisely predict peak demand reductions for electricity, estimates of 10% peak demand reductions are indicated.

Looking at energy and peak demand savings together, the total 20-year present value of financial energy benefits from a typical green building is $5.79 per square foot. To quote from the report, “On the basis of energy savings alone, investing in green buildings appears to be cost-effective.”

LEED is gaining momentum. Supported by numerous studies that have identified the lifetime cost effectiveness of operating green buildings, as well as benefits to occupants and the environment, LEED Certification is on the rise. Not surprisingly California is the market leader in this effort with 358 registered projects as of October 2005. New York and Washington are distant seconds, tied with 125 projects each.

BWP’s LEED Incentive Program

BWP provides the following financial incentives to encourage LEED certified green building construction:

Incentives are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will be required to provide documentation showing verification of LEED registration and their City of Burbank building permit before incentive funds are released.

2. City of Burbank Construction and Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance

The City of Burbank’s Construction and Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance is currently a voluntary measure, allowing builders and developers the time required to adjust to different design and construction practices, identify cost-effective materials, and incorporate appropriate recycling standards into construction projects.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there is approximately 136 million tons of construction and demolition debris generated in the U.S. annually, or 2.8 lbs/person/day. Extrapolating, we estimate that about 54,000 tons of construction waste is generated annually in Burbank. The intent of the City of Burbank’s Construction and Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance is to promote recycling of construction and demolition debris and divert the waste from landfills.

Representatives from the City’s Public Works and Community Development Departments toured Downtown Diversion, a recycling facility in Los Angeles which accepts and sorts construction debris. Downtown Diversion estimates that their recycling rate is about 80%. This could translate into as much as 43,000 tons of the construction debris in Burbank being diverted from landfills.

3. City of Burbank Green Building Ordinance

As with the Construction and Demolition Debris Ordinance, the City’s Green Building Ordinance is a voluntary measure. This ordinance is based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program. The LEED approach is holistic, incorporating energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection and redevelopment, recycled content building materials, alternative transportation, landscape design, exterior light pollution, indoor air quality, and building operations. Based on allocation of points for different efficiency and environmental measures, LEED certification can range from Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum designations. The advantages of LEED buildings are many. For instance, in addition to reducing the building’s on-going operational costs by installing energy- and water-conservation features, LEED buildings also boast limited indoor air quality impacts, making them healthier structures for occupants. So even while it is still the case that LEED certified buildings typically exceed average construction costs, LEED buildings are cost effective over the life of the structure. In general, LEED buildings are 25%-30% more efficient and worker productivity is estimated to save approximately $600-$1,000 per employee annually.

The City of Burbank offers program incentives to builders who embrace the voluntary measures. Depending on the level of sustainability selected by builders, plan check and permit fees will be reduced by 5% to 15%. Moreover, any proposed LEED certified building will receive expedited City approval services.

As an additional resource, the City has created the Green Building and Sustainable Architecture Reference Manual. This thorough document contains information on construction and demolition materials, local area recyclers and their contact information, the LEED certification program, and much more. This document can be found on the City of Burbank website at www.Burbankca.org/building/bgreen.htm. For more information on the City’s Green Building Program, please contact Carol-Ann Coates of the City’s Community Development Department at 818-238-5220.

Another good source of information is the Green Building Council. You’ll find case studies and current articles on their website, www.usgbc.org.

Additional BWP Incentives are Offered

Burbank Water and Power also offers a cash incentive to builders who install solar photovoltaic systems which use renewable energy from the sun to create pollution-free electricity. Incentives of up to $25,500 can be received! For more information on BWP’s Solar Support Program, follow these links in our menu: ‘Business’ to ‘Rebates & Conservation’ to ‘Solar Rebates’, or click here.