(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Commissioner Katy Sorenson sponsored and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance on June 7th, 2005, creating an expedited review process for building plans for commercial, industrial, and residential developments that seek environmental certification. “Green buildings” typically use environmentally superior building materials, appliances that are energy efficient and conserve water, are designed to reuse stormwater on site and avoid impacts on local natural habitat.  Green buildings also take into account their surroundings by locating near transit or abandoned brownfield sites.  Green buildings are also healthier for the occupants than traditional buildings by relying more on natural daylight for illumination and using less toxic building materials.  “Green buildings are better for everyone,” explained Commissioner Sorenson.  “They are more efficient, made from healthier materials, are far less damaging to our environment, and more comfortable to be in.”

The two “green building” certification programs that builders can use to that qualify for this new expedited review are the US Green Building Council’s “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) and the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Home and Green Building standards.  These certification standards require third party independent verification to ensure that the builder is achieving the green building standards.  “Creating an expedited review for environmentally superior designs not only rewards those builders willing to make better homes and offices, but makes an important statement about the direction we should be heading as a community,” explained Commissioner Sorenson.