Green Building Certification Systems for Federal Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issues a final rule that implements a provision in the Energy Conservation and Production Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires DOE to identify a green building certification system and level that DOE determines to be the most likely to encourage a comprehensive and environmentally-sound approach to certification of green buildings. DOE's green building certification system review must be based on the General Services Administration's review of third-party green building certification systems and levels and criteria outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Under the regulations established today, if a Federal agency chooses to use a green building certification system for a new building or major renovation covered by today's rule, the green building certification system for Federal buildings must meet the certification standards established in today's rule.