California approves statewide 'green' building code

The California Building Standards Commission last month adopted a statewide, mandatory "green" building standards code called "CALGREEN." Taking effect on Jan. 1, 2011, CALGREEN will require that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials, among other things.