Nation’s First Commercial Sustainable Building Code Ready for Prime Time

Safe and Sustainable Green Building Code Will Help Curb Emissions and Reduce Carbon Footprint

WHAT: On Monday (March 15), the International Code Council will unveil the first Public Version of its International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The code is applicable to new and existing, traditional and high-performance commercial buildings, and will provide ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 as an alternative compliance requirement. This multi-year initiative, entitled “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable by the Book,” was launched last June. The Code Council will host an event and media availability at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., to announce the release of the Public Version.

WHY: The IGCC initiative provides the first model green construction code addressing new and existing commercial buildings with a focus on increasing building performance. Results of the increased building performance driven by IGCC implementation are expected to include: more efficient use of energy, water, materials and resources; address renewable energy solutions, improved indoor environment quality; education for building owners and facility managers; and a reduction in overall carbon emissions.

WHO: Code Council Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland and Board President Ron Lynn will discuss the initiative, joined by representatives from the IGCC Cooperating Sponsors: the American Institute of Architects, ASTM-International, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), the Illuminating Engineers Society, and the U.S. Green Building Council. The event will include technical experts available to comment on the contents of the IGCC and its development process.

WHEN: Monday, March 15, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Eastern).

WHERE: The LEED-certified National Association of Realtors Building, site of the Council’s Headquarters, 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW. The building is located between E and F Streets, NW on New Jersey Avenue, NW, between the Judiciary Square and Union Station Metro stops on the Red Line.

**A dial-in also has been set up at 866-609-4868 *2222. Questions will be received in order of inquiry. A recorded version of this event will be posted to the ICC website, www.iccsafe.org.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: For security purposes, if you plan to attend the event please try to RSVP by noon on Monday (March 15) by email to: nsaunders@iccsafe.org.

CONTACT: Steve Daggers, 1-888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233), ext. 4212, (708) 351-8880 (cell), SDaggers@IccSafe.org, www.iccsafe.org