USGBC: U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation. This is the place to:

» Certify your green building
» Join USGBC as an organization
» Join a chapter as an individual
» Sign up for courses and workshops
» Purchase LEED Reference Guides
» Register for Greenbuild
» Sign up for e-newsletters
» Become a LEED AP
» Learn about green building

Nationwide Green Schools Effort Launched

USGBC's “Fifty for Fifty” initiative will engage state legislators in every state to develop green schools caucuses. The initiative will provide them with information and developments in green building, and opportunities to network, form local partnerships, and present best practices and successes in regional and national forums. » Learn More

LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide Now Available

This reference guide provides an overview for each credit category, recommended operational strategies and technologies, calculation methods and formulas, resources, definitions, and case studies. The Introduction can be downloaded for free and contains information on recertification, performance period, exemplary performance, multi-tenant issues, and more. » Learn More

USGBC Seeks Nominations for 2009 Board of Directors

Interested in shaping the future of USGBC? The 2009 Board of Directors has open seats in the following Member Communities: Energy Services; Finance/Surety and Corporate Real Estate; and Production Home Builder. Self-nominations may be submitted August 15 through September 14, 2008. » Learn More

LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors Open for Public Comment

The LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors pilot rating system will be open for its first round of public commenting August 15 through September 12 at midnight PDT. This rating system recognizes the unique nature of the retail environment and addresses the different types of spaces that retailers need. » Learn More

LEED Credit Revisions for Certified Wood

USGBC has opened public comment on credit language revisions to how LEED awards points for the use of certified wood. Under the proposed revisions, wood certification systems would be evaluated for eligibility to earn points towards LEED certification against a measurable benchmark, known as the USGBC Forest Certification System Benchmark. » Learn More

New Certification Bodies will Expand Service, Eliminate Backlogs

As administration of the LEED certification process moves to the Green Building Certification Institute in January 2009, the selected certification bodies will help deliver a substantially improved, ISO-compliant certification process. » Learn More

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED Green Building Rating System, and the certification process. The LEED AP program is administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which was established with the support of USGBC to allow for objective, balanced management of the credentialing program.

U.S. Green Building Council