USGBC Officials Testifies for Congressional Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council vice president testified before the U.S. Congress about the potential of green building practices to combat global warming and energy dependence.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, USGBC Vice President of Education and Research Peter Templeton emphasized the human health, environmental and economic benefits that could be realized by applying environmentally sustainable practices and technologies to the building sector, which is the largest source of carbon dioxide in the United States, contributing about 40 percent of total carbon emissions.

On average, LEED-certified buildings use between 20 and 50 percent less energy and yield up to 40 percent reductions in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional structures, according to the USGBC. Green buildings also have the potential to enhance work-place environments through enhanced daylighting and improved air quality, while greater initial construction costs are offset by reduced operational costs over the structure’s life cycle, officials say.

The Senate hearings are part of the congressional committee’s fact-finding mission into the potential health, environmental and economic benefits of green buildings. Sen. Frank Lautenburg, D-NJ, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, recently sponsored a bill that would require all new federal buildings to achieve LEED Silver certification.

The U.S. General Services Administration, which is responsible for federal buildings, owns or leases approximately 8,500 buildings with more than 340 million square feet of space. Twelve federal agencies require new construction projects to meet at least basic LEED standards and more than 20 states throughout the United States use or encourage USGBC standards.