On June 10 Governor Timothy M. Kaine issued Executive Order 82, which will significantly expand efforts to reduce the energy and environmental impact of executive branch agencies and institutions.
As part of the Governor's Renew Virginia initiative, this policy promotes energy and water efficient buildings, encourages reductions in employee travel and commuting, and will minimize the use of disposable materials.
One provision issued the "Green Commonwealth Challenge" to engage the state workforce in greening the government.
The Executive Order also issued a provision dealing with Green Buildings, ordering all executive branch agencies and institutions entering the design phase for construction or renovation of a building to meet certain criteria to conform to LEED silver or Green Globes two-globe standards. When a Commonwealth agency or institution is to lease space or build a new building in a metropolitan area with public transportation, it will seek to lease or build within a quarter mile of a transit or commuter rail stop and also seek locations that are pedestrian and bicycle accessible.
Follow this link to learn more about Executive Order 82.
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the $14.2 million purchase of 1,110 acres for preservation as part of Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford, Virginia.
This purchase will preserve many species of birds as well as acres of wetlands and hardwood forests. In addition, many historically significant events occurred in the area, including Pocahontas's kidnapping and Civil War occupation by the Union Army. The peninsula will be used for recreation, including bird watching, canoeing and hiking. Eventually, Crow's Nest will serve as an educational hub for the area's natural resources and history.
Follow this link to learn more about the purchase as well all Governor Kaine's Renew Virginia initiative.
Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently toured the renovated, environmentally friendly Virginia Association of Counties headquarters where he highlighted the benefits of green construction and green roofs. The VaCo headquarters on Main Street in Richmond was built in 1866 and recently was completely renovated using LEED standards.
Governor Kaine has signed legislation he hopes will further the Renew Virginia initiative and make it easier for localities to encourage green construction and green roofing.
The benefits of green vegetative roofs include: Increased insulation provided by vegetative roofing leads to lower heating and cooling bills for the building. Rooftop vegetation provides an urban habitat for various forms of wildlife. Vegetative roofs not only absorb heat, but they filter the air running across them – removing particulates and carbon from the atmosphere. Vegetative roofs help control both the quantity and quality of runoff. In urban environments especially a big storm can overpower the local stormwater system, causing dangerous sewage overflows. Urban centers like Richmond are often hotter than the surrounding area. This is the "Urban Heat Island Effect." The impact of all the pavement and hot roofs has the effect of raising the temperature, requiring cooling systems to work even harder and raising the temperature in some downtowns to dangerous levels. With reflective coating and vegetative roofs we can help negate that impact.
Follow this link to learn more.
Governor Timothy M. Kaine recently accepted a check on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia for over $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The check, presented at the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Facility, will be used to help create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment. |