In 2004, Pennsylvania began enforcing a uniform statewide building code as a means to adopt “nationally recognized standards” for the protection of life, health, property and environment; to encourage standardization and economy in construction; and to “start a process” leading to a uniform standard for the design and construction of buildings in the commonwealth. But in the seven years since Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code took effect, the national standards for design and construction have undergone significant changes, driven in large part by the green building movement.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 72 percent of electricity consumption, 40 percent of primary energy use, almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and approximately 13 percent of potable water consumption. Green building looks to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the design and construction process and significantly decrease the amount of resources consumed by our buildings themselves and by the way we use them.
