Green Building Certification System Review
Section 436(h) of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) requires GSA to evaluate green building certification systems every five years to identify a system and certification level “deem(ed) to be most likely to encourage a comprehensive and environmentally sound approach to certification of green buildings.” EISA directs the Director of GSA’s Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings to provide the findings to the Secretary of Energy who, in consultation with the Department of Defense and GSA, formally identifies the system(s) to be used across the federal government.
In 2006, GSA first evaluated certification systems focusing on new construction and major renovation. Based on this 2006 review, GSA identified the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system for use in the Federal sector.
GSA completed its most recent evaluation of green building certification systems in March 2012. This evaluation includes certification systems for new construction, major renovations and existing buildings (ongoing operations).
As part of the review process, GSA convened key federal portfolio holders to evaluate and make recommendations on the role of green building certification systems in advancing high performance in the federal real estate portfolio. An ad-hoc review group, co-chaired by GSA, the Department of Energy (DoE), and the Department of Defense (DoD), developed findings taking into account the following areas:
- GSA's Green Building Certification System review report evaluating green building certification systems
- Interrelationships among green building certification systems and recently promulgated green building standards (i.e. ASHRAE 189.1 and the IGCC)
- Federal high performance building design, construction and operations requirements
- Metrics to inform building performance tracking and reporting
- Consideration of cost effectiveness: how high performance in buildings can reduce the total cost of ownership
Public listening sessions were held to solicit verbal and written feedback from stakeholders as the review group considers the topics outlined above.
Federal Register Notice
On February 5, 2013, GSA published a request for information in the Federal Register seeking additional public input on the findings from the interagency ad-hoc review group and how the Federal government can best use green building certification systems. The Federal Register notice can be found at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-02408. GSA is soliciting comments for a period of 60 days, ending on April 8, 2013.
Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
Visit http://www.regulations.gov and search for "Notice-MG-2012-04", or
Fax your comments to 202-501-4067, or
E-mail your comments to bryan.steverson@gsa.gov, or
Mail them to General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Hada Flowers, 1275 First Street, NE., 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20417
Once the comment period closes, GSA, DoD, and DoE will consult to develop the formal set of recommendations on how green building certification systems can be used to facilitate high performance green buildings in the Federal Sector.
Visit the links below to view the most recent Green Building Certification System Review and Appendices as well as a supplemental analysis on ASHRAE Standard 189.1, the Department of Veterans Affairs Guiding Principles Compliance Assessment Program, and GSA's Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Program. In addition, the findings and a summary of the deliberations of the Ad-hoc Review Group are contained in the Co-Chair memorandum, which is linked below.
Green Building Certification System Review
Green Building Certification System Review Appendices
Green Building Certification System Supplemental Information
Co-Chair Memorandum on Green Building Certification Systems
The shortcut to this page is www.gsa.gov/gbcertificationreview
