OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has signed a bill into law that requires new public schools and other state buildings to meet green building standards.

Under the new law, all major public agency facilities exceeding 5,000 square feet, including school buildings that receive state funding, would be required to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction's office, the use of sustainable building designs results in:

20 percent annual savings in energy costs

20 percent reduction in water costs

22 percent reduction in construction waste

"One of my hopes is that by showing the way, we will encourage everybody from mall developers to homebuilders to use the same green building techniques that schools and other government buildings will be using," Gregoire said.

Publication date: 05/02/2005