WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 15, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds Congress for authorizing the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) for all military residential construction, which represents 16 percent of the federal real estate portfolio. Passed today by the Senate, and last week by the House, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will provide affordable choices in meeting military energy and water reduction goals.
“We commend the commitment of Congress to offer options in residential construction to maximize resources and cost effectiveness in military housing,” said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly, a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del. “The NGBS is a cost-effective green building rating system, and the only residential standard approved by the American National Standards Institute. Its inclusion in the NDAA reinforces the NGBS as a market leader.”
Previously, the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program was the only green rating system specifically approved for use for new military construction projects. With the passage of this bill, Congress intends to have the Department of Defense consider all facets of certification going forward, including cost, when deciding among rating systems. Project managers can select the NGBS, LEED or the Green Globes program when choosing a green certification for new residential or remodeling projects.
