February 22, 2006—California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration unveiled a sweeping new “Green California” Web site in early February.
The new Web site is filled with ideas, guidelines, reference materials, engineering data and environmentally friendly purchasing information to assist state and local government agencies and California businesses with the shift toward environmental sustainability, energy conservation and the reduction of landfill waste.
The site is focused primarily on two broad areas. It provides, in a single location, reference materials for the design, construction, benchmarking and operation of “green buildings.” It also provides government and business purchasing officials with detailed information on environmentally friendly products and services, such as office supplies, paper products, office machines, vehicle supplies, building materials, medical supplies, etc.
California law now requires all departments of state government to practice Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), buying goods and services that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment. The “Green California” Web site includes a complete online version of the EPP Best Practices Manual. Among other things, it shows officials how to write environmental specifications into their bid solicitations.
