Student Housing Agency Mandates Green Standards

ALBANY, N.Y. — The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York will mandate that all new state construction and major renovation projects meet LEED standards beginning in 2008.

The agency, which provides financing and construction services to public and private universities and nonprofit healthcare facilities, aims to reduce energy use by more than 30 percent per building, officials say.

The authority already has about 72 projects under construction at an estimated cost of more than $3.5 billion and officials expect a similar level of construction activity during the coming years.

However, none of the current projects will be required to institute LEED design and construction practices, officials say.