Washington, D.C. was named the first LEED for Cities Platinum city in the world by the U.S. Green Building Council last month.
Today, 65% of D.C. neighborhoods are walkable, 58% of commuter trips are by bike, walking, or public transit, and the D.C. government is 100% powered by renewable energy. D.C. is also on track to derive at least one-half of its electricity from renewable resources by 2032.
Launched last year, LEED for Cities enables cities to measure and communicate performance, focusing on outcomes from ongoing sustainability efforts across an array of metrics, including energy, water, waste, transportation, and human experience (which includes education, prosperity, equity, and health and safety). LEED for Cities projects benchmark and track performance using Arc, a digital platform that uses data to provide greater transparency into sustainability efforts and helps cities make more informed decisions, according to a USGBC news release.
D.C. has entered into one of the largest municipal onsite solar projects in the U.S., and completed the largest wind power purchase agreement deal by an American city. The city has also launched Sustainable DC 2.0, a comprehensive city policy statement, and signed a pledge to uphold the commitments in the Paris Climate Accord.
Related Stories
| Dec 18, 2014
New federal regulations impact construction firms doing business with Uncle Sam
Federal contractors may be subject to several new rules in 2015 that impact how they are selected for contracts and how they do business with the federal government.
| Dec 18, 2014
ASHRAE/IES energy standard could become more applicable for global use
A proposed addendum to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings would make the standard more applicable for use around the world.
| Dec 18, 2014
Boston testing mobile building permit tracking app
The app called Permit Finder could free city employees from having to respond to the 30 to 40 permit status-related calls they receive each week.
| Dec 18, 2014
Deal on 2015 budget slashes most federal construction spending
The $1.1 trillion funding bill for fiscal year 2015 approved by Congress makes deep cuts in some construction programs, but the General Services Administration suffered just a short haircut by comparison.
| Dec 11, 2014
Mayor backs reform of Pittsburgh inspection, permitting practices
The proposal, among other things, would impose a rental registration program and fee targeted at keeping better track of problem landlords.
| Dec 11, 2014
Los Angeles mayor proposes earthquake retrofit program
The ambitious program would focus on some apartment buildings built before 1978 and concrete buildings constructed before 1976.
| Dec 11, 2014
Outdated building code hampering recruitment of high-tech businesses in New York State
New York State’s building code is outdated and is hampering the recruitment of high-tech employers, according to a coalition of construction, fire safety, and insurance industry groups.
| Dec 11, 2014
Defense Authorization Act rejects BRAC for 2017
The House of Representatives has passed the $584.2 billion Defense Authorization Act.
| Dec 4, 2014
New airports raising green standards to new heights
Recent airport designs are bigger and much more efficient, based on a look at recent projects in Mexico City, London, and China.
| Dec 4, 2014
Rock Hill, S.C., puts moratorium on multifamily construction
City officials say the flurry of apartment construction over the past year has strained resources, including public services and infrastructure.
