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The High Performance Public Buildings act was passed in 2005.
RCW 39.35D High Performance Public Buildings
The intent: The legislature finds that public buildings can be built and renovated using high-performance methods that save money, improve school performance, and make workers more productive. High-performance public buildings are proven to increase student test scores, reduce worker absenteeism, and cut energy and utility costs.
What school projects does this law apply to?
The law applies to all major construction projects of public school districts receiving
any funding in a state capital budget.
When do the new
requirements go into effect?
The law applies to all major facility
projects that have not received project approval from the Office of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to:
July 1, 2007, for Class One school districts - (over 2,000 students)
July 1, 2008, for Class Two school districts - (under 2,000 students)
If the project received state approval (D4)
before July 1, 2007, the requirements are not
mandatory.
What are the design
standards?
All major facility projects of public school districts receiving any
funding in a state capital budget must be designed and constructed to at
least the LEED silver standard or the Washington Sustainable School
Protocol.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
What other requirements under this law for public school districts are there?
For five years following local board acceptance of a project, monitor and document appropriate operating benefits and savings resulting from major facility projects.
Report annually to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI). OSPI must compile all of the reports into one report to the
legislature every two years.
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