The latest supplement to CAL Green, which took effect July 1, 2015, includes new requirements for providing infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations. CAL Green does not require installing the actual charging station, but projects must include designated parking space(s), conduit, panel capacity, as well as designating the type of equipment that would be installed. The stations themselves are still pretty pricey, but market demand and ongoing technology advances are bringing prices down so that more businesses are installing one or more for employee use (think MindBody). This requirement applies to residential and non-residential project.
Dept. of Corrections LEED Silver Focuses on Water & Energy
New office space for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Bakersfield achieved LEED Silver certification this month. The 18,000 SF tenant improvement includes offices for 50 employees, conference space, training areas and other support spaces. A key feature is water conservation: indoor water use was reduced by 37% with ultra low-flow fixtures, and outdoor water use was reduced by 60% through selection of adapted plant species and high-efficiency irrigation. In addition, lighting is 16% more efficient than standard, and mechanical systems and envelope are 20% more efficient, for long-term energy savings and reduced climate impact.
Shale Oak Winery Project in the News
LEED Gold-certified Shale Oak winery was featured in the Paso Robles Daily News. The article, “Sustainability in practice at Shale Oak Winery”, by Mira Advani Honeycutt, highlights the sustainable building components, including daylighting, water reclamation, materials conservation and renewable energy.