Preservationists say a new California law that requires new construction to meet stringent green building standards could encourage demolition of historically significant buildings.
California's first-in-the-nation statewide green building standards code has only been on the books for two months. But historic preservationists say mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use don't take into account the value of upgrading old buildings.
This is particularly an issue from the context of LEED certification, says Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy. She tells NPR's Ethan Lindsey "If you save a historic building, you can get up to three points, but if you use recycled carpet, you get one point. Is saving a whole building really the same as recycled carpet?"
Dishman claims old buildings are greener than new ones because of "embodied energy," or how much energy goes into construction. Historic preservationists are working with U.S. Green Building Council's LEED team to up their points and promote other building standards that weigh preservation more heavily.
Developers say in the end what matters to buyers is cost: whether a building is green or preserved is a second priority.
FULL STORY: New Building Law Seen As Threat To California History

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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