Governor Kasich Recognizes Commission as the World Leader in Environmentally-Friendly School Buildings
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor John Kasich has recognized the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) and its staff for having surpassed 300 LEED-certified K-12 schools in Ohio, more than any other state in the country and making it the world leader in environmentally-friendly buildings.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. It was developed by the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC), which recently announced that Ohio’s 300 K-12 certified buildings makes Ohio the nationwide leader in sustainable school construction, well ahead of second-place California (148 LEED-certified schools). That number also exceeds total green building numbers in all other countries.
The recognition, in the form of a Governor’s Resolution, was presented to OFCC Executive Director David Williamson by Commission Chairman Timothy Keen, who is the Director of Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management.
The recognition follows an award from the USGBC, which honored OFCC during a ceremony earlier this month in Columbus. USGBC President Manesh Ramanujam said the group “applauds Mr. Williamson and the OFCC for their commitment to Ohio’s students. By prioritizing green schools, the OFCC is leading the way and helping USGBC continue toward our vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation.”
Director Williamson noted that this has been a 10-year process for the Commission, which first mandated the use of environmentally friendly design techniques in state-funded K-12 projects back in 2007. “Our Commission has always stressed innovation and new ideas into our program,” Williamson added. “We believe that our efforts in this area have yielded both environmental benefits and operational cost savings for public owners in Ohio. We look forward to our continued work with USGBC in this vital area.”
Ohio’s LEED-certified schools are designed to be more energy efficient, save money and reduce resource consumption. Buildings in OFCC-funded LEED projects are designed, on average, to be 33 percent more energy efficient, reduce potable water consumption by 35 percent, and provide healthier learning environments for children. The program also has an economic impact: through LEED, the OFCC has spent approximately $1.4 Billion dollars to purchase products and materials within 500 miles of each project, thus supporting the local economies.
In addition to Ohio's comprehensive public K-12 school construction and renovation program, the OFCC guides capital construction projects for state agencies and state-supported universities and community colleges. The Commission also manages grant programs for cultural facilities, community school classroom facilities, and lead plumbing fixture replacement in schools.