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2012 SESSION


CHAPTER 680
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1182 and 2.2-1183, relating to the Department of General Services; High Performance Buildings Act; exemption.
[S 160]
Approved April 9, 2012

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1182 and 2.2-1183, as follows:

Article 8.
High Performance Buildings Act.

§ 2.2-1182. Short title; definitions.

A. This article shall be known and may be cited as the High Performance Buildings Act.

B. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"High performance building certification program" means a public building design, construction, and renovation program that meets the requirements of VEES.

"VEES" means the Virginia Energy Conservation and Environmental Standards developed by the Department considering the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED) green building rating standard, the Green Building Initiative "Green Globes" building standard, and other appropriate requirements as determined by the Department.

§ 2.2-1183. Building standards; exemption.

A. Any executive branch agency or institution entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, shall conform to VEES and the building shall be designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with the high performance building certification program.

B. The Director of the Department may grant an exemption from the design and construction standards required by subsection A upon a finding that special circumstances make the construction or renovation to the standards impracticable.