OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente Thursday announced he is bringing together developers and environmentalists to create a "green building" ordinance for the city.

The ordinance would utilize a rating system to ensure new multilple unit developments met energy efficiency, water and resource conservation and indoor air quality standards.

"I think we can balance the needs of the housing industry and the environment and in fact find some common ground," De La Fuente said. "We can continue to build much needed housing in Oakland while also addressing health and climate change."

The Home Builders Association of Northern California and nonprofit Build It Green are working with De La Fuente on details of ordinance.

"At a time when rising gas prices and concerns about global warming are pushing consumers to change their behavior, building green makes good business sense," said Joseph Perkins, president and CEO of the Home Builders Association of Northern California.

The proposed ordinance will go before the planning commission in September.