New "green" standard adopted

The International Code Council, which develops the building safety codes used to construct most residential and commercial buildings, approved a National Green Building Standard. The new standard provides guidance for safe and sustainable building practices for all residential construction. The standard's rating system allows builders, designers, and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green buildings that best suit their needs. Key provisions include: land conservation, rainwater collection, construction of smaller homes to conserve resources, improved indoor air quality, and homeowner education on proper maintenance and operation to maintain a home's green status.