USGBC reaffirms green-building code commitment
Amid doubts over a proposed ASHRAE standard, U.S. Green Building Council leaders vow to continue work on national green-building code.
By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 11/13/2008 3:15:00 PM
On Nov. 13, the U.S. Green Building Council reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Standard 189.1 P, which stands to be the country’s first national standard developed to be used as a green building code when completed. Created specifically for adoption by states, localities, and other building code jurisdictions that are ready to require a minimum level of green building performance for all commercial buildings, Standard 189.1 P is under development as an ANSI standard under ASHRAE’s leadership, in partnership with the USGBC and IESNA.
Many green-leading cities—including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles—require most commercial buildings to reach LEED Silver; earlier this year, California authored and adopted a statewide green building code.
Doubts about the future of Standard 189.1 P were raised in late October by ASHRAE leadership’s decision to reconstitute the volunteer committee responsible for the development of the green building code. While rebuilding the committee will mean delays, USGBC leaders say they remain confident in the quality of the final result.
