Welcome to the South Florida Chapter of the USGBC—a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to educating and promoting the benefits of sustainable, energy efficient buildings. Join us in transforming the way our buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, providing an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life of our citizens and visitors.

Green Building Advocacy


The USGBC and its Chapters provide green building educational information and resources to a variety of constituencies.  The South Florida Chapter’s advocacy resources are focused in several key areas -- State and local governments, schools and school districts, and homeowners and residential developers.  The Chapter also works closely with the USGBC National office, as well as with other USGBC Chapters throughout the State of Florida on statewide issues.

USGBC Chapter National Style.pngIn essence, the South Florida Chapter is committed to supporting Federal, State and our local South Florida governments in their pursuit and development of green building programs and initiatives.  Our nonprofit organization's input is sought on major policies and legislative and regulatory initiatives.  In our advocacy-focused volunteer leadership and other USGBC resources, governments and public-private partnerships have access to best practices, lessons learned and other initiatives already in place across the USA.

Our local USGBC South Florida Chapter is led by a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, teachers and students, all embracing the reality that LEED strategies improve building performance across all of the metrics that matter most -- energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. 

W2W Clipart.jpgIndeed, ours is a fact-based constituency, and that's our strength as a resource.  Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39 percent of CO2 emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent water consumption and 15 percent of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity.  Moreover, greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future US demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.


USGBC South FL Chapter Legislative Advocacy Contacts

 

Advocacy -- USGBC General.jpg

 


USGBC Advocacy Resources

Two new resources --
1) Green Buildings for Cool Cities: A Guide for Advancing Local Green Building Policies, a resource generated by the Sierra Club's Cool Cities Program and the USGBC to advocate for cost-effective, local, administrative green building policies; and 2) Greening the Codes, a USGBC White Paper concerning building codes broadening their charge to include the human and environmental impacts of  buildings.

Public Policy Search -- Search Local, State, and Federal public policy by USGBC Region, Certification Requirement, Size of Jurisdiction, LEED Rating System, Type of Entity, Policy Path, Incentive, and Date ... click here.

Government Resources -- The USGBC is committed to supporting Local, State, and Federal governments in their pursuit and development of green building programs and initiatives.  Search USGBC resources for State and Local governments ... click here.

Tools for Government and Schools -- View a list of USGBC links, reference documents, stats and Web resources for government and schools ... click here.

LEED Initiatives in Government and Schools -- View a full list of LEED initiatives in Local, State, and Federal governments, as well as initiatives in the K-12 and higher education sectors.  For each initiative, the list includes a summary, link and contact information ... click here.

Playbook for Green Neighborhoods and Buildings -- The Playbook provides local governments with guidance and resources to rapidly advance green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure ... click here.

Build Green Homes -- The Chapter's Residential Green Buildings webpage includes resources on what makes a home green, green home programs, living green, REGREEN remodeling guidelines, news, events and resources ... click here.

Build Green Schools -- The concept is virtually impossible to argue against -- building Green Schools is the place to start making a change in your community. The Chapters Green Schools webpage provides information to learn what makes green schools better for students, teachers and support staff, as well as your community, as well as numerous other resources ... click here.


Green Building Advocacy Stats, Facts & Incentives

Financial Incentives

  • Grants
  • Income Tax Credits
  • Property Tax Abatements
  • Reduced Building and Zoning Permit Fees
  • Waived/Reduced Impact Waiver Fee
  • Revolving Loan Fund
  • Free Technical Assistance

Structural Incentives

  • Density and Height Bonuses (e.g., Developers allowed to build higher/denser if they achieve LEED)
  • Policies to Reduce Code Barriers (e.g., HOA’s that prohibit solar panels on the roof; Cities that restrict waterless urinals)
  • Fast-track Permitting
  • Expedited Permitting


US Buildings: Impacts on Resources

  • 39% of total energy consumption
  • 71% of electricity consumption
  • 40% CO2 emissions
  • 30% of raw materials use
  • 30% of waste output
  • 13% of potable water consumption


Additional Construction Costs For LEED Certified Buildings

  • Platinum -- 6.8%
  • Gold -- 2.2%
  • Silver -- 1.9%
  • Certified -- .66%


Perceived Business Benefits to Green

  • 8 to 9% operating cost decreases
  • 7.5% building value increases
  • 6.6% return on investment improves
  • 3.5% occupancy rate increases
  • 3% rent ratio increases


Notes to Note


 

 


 

 
 
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