                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BUILDING STANDARDS; EXEMPTION; REPORT (§ 2.2-1183)

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:

   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 &#xA7;
   33.2-100; and

   3. Has features that permit the agency or institution to track the
   building&#8217;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.

HISTORY: 2012, cc. 680, 793; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 473.