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Green Building
According to the 2018 Green House Gas Inventory Report, buildings accounted for 52% of greenhouse gas emissions in Blaine County. Based upon Blaine County’s work with ICLEI USA the following high-impact strategies and performance measures were identified using their Carbon Neutral Framework with the goal of achieving our clean energy goals and greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.
Improve Energy Efficiency Building Code
Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Commercial and Residential Buildings
Ensure New Residential and Commercial Construction is Low Carbon
To learn more about our clean energy goals visit our Clean Energy priority focus area.
Blaine County's Green Building Achievements
Blaine County and its incorporated cities are committed to utilizing green building practices to help achieve its ambitious clean energy and emissions reduction goals and enhance the overall sustainability and livability of our beautiful community. Blaine County has been prioritizing Green Building practices for decades knowing the positive impacts they have on the environment and our community.
In 2011 Blaine County adopted the BuildSmart Energy Code which requires that all new homes earn a Silver certification from either LEED or the National Green Building Standard.
In 2012, the city of Ketchum required that new homes earn a Silver certification from either LEED or the National Green Building Standard.
In 2012, the city of Hailey adopted its Build Better Program which prioritizes energy-efficient and sustainable building practices.
In 2018, the city of Hailey became the first of our incorporated cities to adopt the 2018 version of the IECC.
In 2021, Idaho passed updates to its statewide building code making the updated 2018 version of the International Energy Conservation Code active for all counties. Blaine County passed an amendment that bettered its Building Code's energy efficiency standards.
In 2022 Blaine County began a task force on Clean Energy and Green Building. This task force is in the process of developing goals and actions to achieve the county’s ambitious clean energy goals.
Blaine County's Green Building Market
The above achievements and practices have created a strong market for green buildings in our community. Collectively, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, and Sun Valley are home to 18 LEED Certified buildings, totaling approximately 820,000 square feet. LEED Certification is the most widely used green building certification system worldwide. In addition to LEED-certified buildings, the county has 136 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certified buildings, with another 116 in the certification process. In the last 18 months, 59 buildings have been benchmarked with the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions benchmarking tool.
Clean Energy and Green Building Task Force
In May of 2022, 5B CAN began organizing task force groups to discuss the topic of Clean Energy and Green Building. Industry and community stakeholders have been meeting monthly to discuss and refine goals and actions that will make up the bulk of the county’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.