In June 2004, Daley announced that all new City of Chicago construction projects would meet green building guidelines. At that time he set the goal of creating a Green Building Agenda to lay out a strategy to implement the guidelines citywide.
The Green Building Agenda sets forth the City of Chicago's goals and proposed actions in the following areas:
• By constructing to highly efficient standards, buildings can reduce operating costs by 20 to 50 percent. These operating costs represent 90 percent of the costs associated with a building over its entire life.
• A significant first step in this process was the 2002 implementation of the Chicago Energy Conservation Code, which established minimum energy conservation standards for new and renovated buildings.
• To encourage the use of green building practices in residences, the City will develop a residential green building standard. This standard will guide the design, construction and renovation of City-owned and City-funded housing.
• The City has adopted a policy that encourages and, in some cases, requires green roofs and adherence to green building standards in developments undergoing Department of Planning and Development review. In addition to outlining goals for City construction projects, the agenda also sets forth strategies to further create incentives for the private sector to construct green buildings, as well as other programs that the city will pursue to educate and recognize Chicago's construction industry.
• The Chicago Center for Green Technology offers tours, workshops and other opportunities for people to learn about green building. Educational workshops on topics of general interest, such as solar, electricity, native landscaping, and green roofs, are offered to the general public. Seminars designed specifically for industry professionals are available as well.
One recognition program introduced in 2004 was Mayor Daley's GreenWorks Awards, a bi-annual awards program created to recognize outstanding green buildings in Chicago. Awards are given in three categories: residential projects, non-residential projects and green building design proposals completed by college or university students.
So far, Chicago has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for several libraries and a police station. A dozen more City buildings are awaiting approval. The Mayor also has created a Green Building Award program to recognize excellence in the private sector.
