City of El Paso – Green Building Policy for Municipal Buildings

In June 2008, the City Council of the City of El Paso took a significant step toward fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility by enacting the Sustainable Design Standards for City Buildings policy. This policy, documented in Ordinance 16911 and subsequently updated in July 2012 through a resolution, reflects the city’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices into the construction and renovation of municipal buildings.

Key Points of the Sustainable Design Standards:

1. Scope of Application:

   • The policy applies to all new City buildings exceeding 5,000 square feet in size.
   • Future major renovations and non-occupied City buildings are also included in the scope of the policy.

2. LEED Silver Certification Requirement:

   • The primary requirement is that all new City buildings falling within the specified size category must be designed, contracted, and built to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification level.
   • LEED Silver is a recognized standard within the LEED certification system, emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental performance.

3. Striving for Higher Certification Levels:

   • The policy encourages a proactive approach by urging efforts to attain higher levels of LEED certification, such as gold or platinum, whenever feasible.
   • This emphasis on striving for higher certification levels aligns with the city’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and construction.

4. Application to Future Renovations:

   • Beyond new constructions, the policy extends its influence to future major renovations, ensuring that sustainable design principles are incorporated into the enhancement of existing City buildings.
   • Even non-occupied City buildings undergoing design, contracting, and construction processes are subject to the integration of feasible LEED program principles.

By enacting and updating this policy, the City of El Paso demonstrates a holistic commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices in its municipal infrastructure. The emphasis on LEED certification, along with the encouragement to achieve higher levels of certification, underscores the city’s dedication to creating buildings that prioritize energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and overall sustainability. This initiative aligns with broader trends in sustainable development and positions El Paso as a leader in incorporating green building standards into its urban planning and infrastructure development.