USGBC Commends National League of Cities Call for Federal Adoption of Green Building Policy
NLC backs platform of green building, sustainable development as road to job creation
Denver, CO The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) congratulates the National League of Cities (NLC) and its membership for its leadership in endorsing a national green building policy agenda that calls on the federal government to support critical green building efforts that are working to help cities save money, save energy and create jobs.
At its annual meeting last week, NLC, the oldest and largest national organization representing nearly 2,000 municipal governments adopted five resolutions that support local sustainable building programs and are critical to USGBC’s mission of transforming the design, construction and operations of our buildings and communities.
The resolutions that were adopted unanimously this week include:
- Calling on the federal government to address issues of sustainability and support local green efforts
- Congressional action to support property assessed clean energy programs
- Clarification that federal law does not preempt state and local energy efficiency building codes
- Support for green affordable housing and financing
- Support for sustainable development in cities and towns
Municipalities have long served as laboratories for addressing climate change and have provided a myriad of examples for how the federal government should promote sustainability across the country. These resolutions, which USGBC strongly supported, represent a powerful endorsement for implementing a green building and neighborhood agenda that will advance the greatest opportunities to revitalize the economy. These green building measures, which are advancing in localities across the country, are helping create new green jobs, save people money through operational cost savings, combating climate change, preserving water and natural resources, and promoting better health.
“Our nation’s cities and towns have long led the way towards a more sustainable future and they are looking to the federal government as a partner in this effort,” said Roger Platt, Senior Vice President of Global Policy & Law, USGBC. “NLC’s set of resolutions makes it clear that we all must play our part to help ensure that the enormous economic and environmental benefits of green building are realized in communities across the country.”
The resolutions demonstrate the continuation of a national trend of local government leadership on sustainable planning and innovation. USGBC’s launch of the LEED for Neighborhood Development green rating system – referenced in the resolutions alongside other LEED rating systems for building design, construction and operations – promises to be an important tool in further supporting these communities’ sustainability goals.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
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About USGBC
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, 17,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students
Contact:
Ashley Katz
Communications Manager, USGBC
202.742.3738
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