143-135.35. Findings; legislative intent.
The General Assembly finds that public buildings can be built and renovated using sustainable, energy-efficient methods that save money, reduce negative environmental impacts, improve employee and student performance, and make employees and students more productive. The main objectives of sustainable, energy-efficient design are to avoid resource depletion of energy, water, and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle; and create buildings that are livable, comfortable, safe, and productive. It is the intent of the General Assembly that State-owned buildings and buildings of The University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System be improved by establishing specific performance standards for sustainable, energy-efficient public buildings. These performance standards should be based upon recognized, consensus standards that are supported by science and have a demonstrated performance record. The General Assembly also intends, in order to ensure that the economic and environmental objectives of this Article are achieved, that State agencies, The University of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Community College System determine whether the performance standards are met for major facility construction and renovation projects, measure utility and maintenance costs, and verify whether these standards result in savings. Also, it is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a priority to use North Carolina-based resources, building materials, products, industries, manufacturers, and businesses to provide economic development to North Carolina and to meet the objectives of this Article.