In an attempt to create a legislative benchmark for green building, the International Code Council has been heavily focused on establishing the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) for that purpose. While the lion’s share of the document is geared towards commercial construction, the ICC-700 program (National Green Building Standard) promulgated by the National Association of Home Builders is incorporated by reference for residential buildings.
The ICC-700 program is just one of many rating systems available in the market. Unfortuneatly though, it is the only rating system currently recognized in early drafts of the IGCC. It is our hope that once work on the IGCC is completed in early 2012, it will either encourage adopting jurisdictions to consider multiple rating systems that are available at the state and local level (as many already have) or will simply maintain focus on commercial construction; again realizing that multiple solutions already exist in the residential field.
The ever-evolving field of green building continues to be defined by innovative theories coupled with unique demands among both consumers and policy makers. We sincerely hope that further progress will not be curtailed by short-sighted regulatory attempts to fashion a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
More information on the IGCC can be found on the ICC’s web page. Our public comment is #1-31 and the Texas Association of Builders is comment #1-10 on this document.
