The VTA Board of Directors recently approved the adoption of a Green Building Policy.

The Policy commits VTA to incorporate green building principles into the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction of all capital, facility, and joint-development projects on VTA-owned property.  

The principles in the Policy provide a variety of ways to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, support the local economy, provide healthy indoor environments, and generate long-term cost saving. VTA employees are directed to incorporate green building principles into VTA projects as applicable and to the maximum extent possible.

For example, in addition to committing to meet all mandatory measures for nonresidential structures as outlined in the California Green Building Standards Code, VTA will incorporate factors such as on-site recycling and water reuse, sustainable landscaping, renewable energy, and LEED indoor air quality standards.

For any project with an overall budget of $100 million or greater, the Policy also requires the development and implementation of a Sustainability Plan that includes a list and description of green building features to be included in the project as well as the designation of a Sustainability Coordinator.

VTA is not new to environmental responsibility. The agency approved a Sustainability Program in 2008 and established a goal to incorporate green building principles into VTA projects that include new or renovated buildings or other facilities such as parking garages or bus rapid transit stations.

For more, check out VTA’s 2017 Sustainability Report and some of VTA’s sustainability efforts over the past decade.