The State Green Building Construction Act [1] was passed unanimously in the New York State Assembly and Senate, announced Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo [2] on Thursday. The bill will now be passed on to Governor Paterson [3] for approval.

If passed, the new legislation could make the State Capitol in Albany a model of green building and technology.

Authored by Lupardo and sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino [4], the bill will require that the state develop green building standards for all new construction or substantial renovation of all New York State government buildings. This includes state agencies and public authorities-what the Environmental Advocates of New York [5] claim are the state's largest energy users.

Lupardo designed the legislation in response to rising energy cost and the growing field of green technology.

"Green buildings use resources, including energy, water, materials and land more efficiently and effectively," the Assemblywoman said. "They also minimize the negative environmental consequences and produce less waste. This is a common-sense measure that we can all benefit from."