July 11, 2005—With a bill signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn on June 17, Nevada could become a national model for green building. Assembly Bill 3 requires all state-funded projects meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. The bill changes regulations relating to energy, conservation, construction and renovation, and creates incentives for businesses that construct green buildings.
Tax incentives allow for the abatement of up to 50 percent of property taxes for a period of up 10 years on buildings that meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s silver standard.
Expect owners of older buildings to take advantage of the law as well, explains state Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, who along with Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, was instrumental in getting the bill passed. Townsend called AB3 one of—if not—the “strongest bill on renewable energy, conservation and green building standards” to ever be passed in the nation.
For more information, visit the Web site of the US Green Building Council
