A handful of states, including Massachusetts, have implemented green building policies. Influencing state policy is tantilizing because of the opportunity to have a positive and dramatic impact on environmental and human health across a wide range of structures.
Massachusetts
State Sustainability Initiative - GRT worked with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Division of Capital Asset Management, Office of Technical Assistance and Office of Administration and Finance under a grant from the EPA to prepare, organize and facilitate a process including 58 stakeholders from public and private sectors to address barriers and opportunities and create a green building action plan.
The process culminated in a major policy initiative by Governor Deval Patrick that essentially requires all public buildings in the state meet LEED Silver standards.
GRT continues to be on the Steering Committee of this initiative to help craft and implement the program.
State Tax Credit - As co-drafters of a Green Building Tax Credit, GRT helped draft this initial piece of legislation, made multiple presentations to legislators to help them understand the value of green building to the Commonwealth as a way of safeguarding public and environmental health, and testified before legislators at the State House in support of the proposed legislation. The status of this effort is still in process determining implementation.