A green future starts at home for Californians via San Francisco Chronicle

Can other states be far behind?

To its great credit, the California Energy Commission has enlisted the support of major stakeholders who are often at odds - builders, utilities, environmental groups - for its proposed building efficiency standards.

Now, if the commission could only persuade our teenagers to take shorter showers, unplug their chargers and turn off the lights when they leave the house ... then this state would truly redefine the cutting edge of resource conservation.

On May 31, the commission is expected to approve the nation's most stringent energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial buildings. The new rules would apply to new construction and take effect on Jan. 1, 2014. They are expected to cut energy use 25 percent in homes, 30 percent in commercial buildings and 14 percent in multifamily residences.

Read more...A green future starts at home for Californians via San Francisco Chronicle