Virginia Code 2.2-1183: Building standards; exemption; report
A. Any executive branch agency or institution entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet in size, or the renovation of a building where the cost of the renovation exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building, shall ensure that such building:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-1183
- Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
- High performance building certification program: means a public building design, construction, and renovation program that meets the requirements of VEES. See Virginia Code 2.2-1182
- in writing: include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Chapter 42. See Virginia Code 1-257
- Sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure: means provision or reservation of sufficient space to provide electric vehicle charging stations and related infrastructure, including transformers, service equipment, and large conduit, to support every centralized fleet vehicle that will be located at such building. See Virginia Code 2.2-1182
- VEES: means the Virginia Energy Conservation and Environmental Standards developed by the Department considering the U. See Virginia Code 2.2-1182
1. Is designed, constructed, verified, and operated to comply with the high performance building certification program and VEES;
2. Has sufficient electric vehicle charging infrastructure. However, the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to buildings located in the right-of-way of the Interstate System as that term is defined in § 33.2-100; and
3. Has features that permit the agency or institution to track the building’s energy efficiency and associated carbon emissions, including metering of all electricity, gas, water, and other utilities.
B. Any executive branch agency or institution may exceed the design and construction standards required by subsection A, provided that such agency or institution obtains prior written approval from the Director of the Department.
C. The Director of the Department may grant an exemption from the design and construction standards required by subsection A upon a finding that special circumstances make the construction or renovation to the standards impracticable. Such exemption shall be made in writing and shall explain the basis for granting such exemption. If the Director cites cost as a factor in granting an exemption, the Director shall include a comparison of the cost the agency or institution will incur over the next 20 years if the agency does not comply with the standards required by subsection A versus the costs to the agency or institution if the agency or institution were to comply with such standards.
D. Each agency or institution shall submit an annual report to the Governor by January 1 of each year detailing the energy-efficiency and associated carbon emissions metrics for each building built or renovated in accordance with the design and construction standards required by subsection A and completed during the prior fiscal year.