More than 60 code officials, architects, contractors and other industry stakeholders met in Chicago to participate in the first International Green Construction Code Orientation & Training Tour. Attendees were welcomed by Code Council Executive Director of Education and Certification David Dufresne. "This is a great opportunity to learn and discuss the IgCC as it becomes adopted more and more throughout the country," he said.

IgCC Secretariat Allan Bilka addresses attendees at the first IgCC Orientation & Training Tour.

Dufresne also welcomed Michael Merchant, Building Commissioner for the city of Chicago, who drew some parallels to Chicago's ongoing growth of green buildings and the importance of initiatives such as the IgCC. "Chicago continues to become more green," Merchant explained. "LEED and the IgCC, these will continue to lead not only Chicago but other cities into a more green and sustainable world."

The audience also was addressed by a video presentation featuring ICC CEO Richard P. Weiland and Board of Directors President Jimmy Brothers. "You've been invited to participate in this program because we want you to get to know all about the IgCC, and be its champion in your jurisdictions," Weiland said. "Almost 2,200 individuals and more than 1,400 organizations have pledged their support to the IgCC."

"We encourage you to ask questions, gather information and network with your colleagues and the public you serve," Brothers added.

ICC Technical Advisor and Instructor John Gibson introduced Senior Staff Architect and IgCC Secretariat Allan Bilka and Regional Manager of State and Local Government Relations Bob Neale. "We are talking about going beyond this voluntary ratings system concept," Bilka said as he gave an overview of the IgCC. "We need to address the environmental issues that are critical, some might say, to our very survival, but certainly to the survival of life as we know it, sustainable life as we know it, including the built environment and its impact to the environment around it."

The IgCC code developed process was discussed along with the efforts of the five cooperating sponsors: U.S. Green Building Council, AIA, ASTM International, ASHRAE and Illuminating Engineering Society. Bilka described one of the purposes of the IgCC as being "written in mandatory language, (it) is positioned to produced environmental benefits on a massive scale."

A number of jurisdictions have legislation in place or are in preliminary planning to adopt and/or reference the IgCC as their green construction code. The city of Richland, Wash., and the state of Rhode Island are two jurisdictions that have already adopted the IgCC. Orientation participants walked through the strategies these jurisdictions have or are using to adopt and implement the IgCC, and ICC staff highlighted the available Adoption Toolkits and training and technical support that is available to assist jurisdictions with future adoptions.

Gibson and Bilka went through each chapter of the code focusing on the intent of that chapter, the key information within that chapter, the overlay of that part of the code, and the recommended changes on the horizon as the code continues through its code development process.

Participants in the panel discussion, "How Will the IgCC Get Implemented in the Real World?" were Art Dahlberg, city of Milwaukee; Elizabeth Scanlan, city of Chicago; Holly Gerberding, city of Chicago; Steve Witt, Village of Oak Park, Ill.; and George Tohowski, Leopardo Companies.

Participants also worked in groups to plan how the IgCC may be adopted and implemented in their jurisdictions. The groups were allotted time to discuss and formulate responses and presented their findings to the other groups.

The IgCC Orientation & Training Tour continues in Boston Aug. 17, in Orlando Aug. 24, in Seattle Sept. 14, and in Denver Sept. 24.