DPD News
Seattle Green Building Task Force Launched
July 30, 2008

Mayor Nickels launched his Green Building Task Force (GBTF) on July 24, 2008, staffed jointly by the DPD City Green Building Program and the Office of Sustainability and Environment. Embracing the goal of reducing Seattle’s energy use in new and existing buildings, the 50-member task force will provide guidance on new policy proposals to make Seattle the nation’s Green Building Capital.

The 50 members represent a range of perspectives and interests including architecture, development, real estate, low-income housing, environmental and building management.
The task force is a working advisory group that has been divided into two committees: New Construction and Existing Buildings. The subcommittees will consider policy recommendations to build upon Seattle’s successful utility conservation program and achieve the following goals:

  • Existing Buildings: increase the energy efficiency of the Seattle building stock by 20 percent by 2020.
  • New Buildings: increase energy efficiency in new buildings and major retrofits consistent with the regiments of the 2030 Challenge (carbon neutral by 2030).

The committees will meet and collaborate monthly through January 2009 to provide input on a suite of energy efficiency, sustainable building and climate protection policy options developed by City staff and technical consultants. The information shared during the meetings will inform City staff recommendations to the Mayor on the development of improved and/or new regulatory and programmatic measures to support the Mayor’s Green Building Capital Initiative.

Green Building Task Force Objectives

  • Increase energy efficiency in new and existing Seattle buildings
  • Reduce energy costs for Seattle’s residents and businesses
  • Create green-economy job opportunities

Green Building Task Force Schedule
Convene GBTF: July 2008
Existing and New Building Committee Meetings: Aug. -Nov. 2008
GBTF Recommendations: Nov. 2008
Staff Delivers GBTF Report to Mayor: Dec. 2008
Legislation to City Council: First Quarter 2009

For more information about the Green Building Task Force, visit it's website at:
www.seattle.gov/environment/GBtaskforce.htm