Maryland has become the first state in the country to approve the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) by passing H.B. 972, which fundamentally advances and transforms the way buildings are designed, built and operated.
The IGCC has been developed by the International Code Council, in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects; ASTM International; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; the U.S. Green Building Council; and the Illuminating Engineering Society to establish a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings addressing green building design and performance.
Buildings in the U.S. are responsible for 40 percent of energy consumption, 39 percent of CO2 emissions, 13 percent water consumption and 15 percent of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Green buildings can reduce energy use by up to 50 percent, reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 39 percent, use 40 percent less potable water, and eliminate almost 70 percent of solid waste.