(PHILADELPHIA) October 28, 2021 – Today, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson introduced a bill to update the City’s LEED requirements for city-owned buildings. The City’s first LEED ordinance was enacted in 2009. The new legislation would align with current best practices and give the Office of Sustainability regulatory authority.
“The City has made significant commitments to reduce carbon emissions and create resilient communities, so we must continue to lead internally to achieve these goals,” said Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large). “Over the decade since the original LEED ordinance passed, there have been important changes, such as the creation of the Office of Sustainability, the adoption of updated building codes, and other industry advances; therefore, we thought it was time to align our requirements with nationwide best practices. I want to thank the Administration, especially the Office of Sustainability, for their collaboration, and I look forward to our continued work together to create climate resilient and healthy work and community spaces in Philadelphia.”
“We’re grateful to Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for her leadership in introducing this update to this landmark legislation,” said Christine Knapp, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “With 72 percent of local greenhouse gas emissions coming from the built environment, we know it is critical that we slash emissions from buildings. The City strives to lead by example on climate action, and so it only makes sense that we continue to push our ambitions further by ensuring new or greatly renovated City buildings be able to achieve LEED Gold status.”
Read the bill:
CM Gilmore Richardson LEED Ordinance – 10-20-21
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