Work with the local school district to ensure that future new schools are built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.
Best Practice of this action
Keywords
schools
Rating Guideline
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One or more school buildings exist that were built to a green building standard, or the school board passes a resolution to use a green building standard or certification or code but third-party verification is not necessary. |
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The school board resolution requires that all buildings be certified or be rated under a green building framework; report a high anticipated percentage of students who could walk/bike to school. |
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The school board resolution requires that all buildings meet the SB 2030 energy standard; that all buildings be certified or be rated at the highest level under a green building framework. |
Resources
- Encourage individual schools and school districts to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Schools program.
- See a list of green building frameworks, which include codes, standards (including the SB 2030 energy standard), rating systems with certification, and guidelines with verification.
- See the The Advanced Energy Design Guide—Achieving Zero Energy for K-12 schools, from ASHRAE.
- School Siting Guidelines (U.S. EPA: 2011) emphasize siting schools along existing safe routes, among other aspects.
- Green schools resources from the MPCA, including the Healthy Sustainable Schools: Guide for Change.
- Use the International Dark-Sky Association Lighting for Policy Makers guide to promote reduced/smarter outdoor lighting. See the GreenStep Dark Skies best practices for more.
Order Number
2