27 associations representing a wide range of interests in the building and construction industry announced the formation of the American High-Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC)(www.betterbuildingstandards.com). The organizations have come together to promote and support the development of sustainable building standards, which are based on consensus and scientific performance data
27 associations representing a wide range of interests in the building and construction industry announced the formation of the American High-Performance Buildings Coalition (AHPBC)(www.betterbuildingstandards.com). The organizations have come together to promote and support the development of sustainable building standards, which are based on consensus and scientific performance data. The coalition will provide critical experience and expertise to the development of green building standards, and will support performance-based building codes, standards and rating systems developed in conformance with the American National Standards Institute(ANSI), the established voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system. ANSI-accredited organizations recognize transparency, balance of interests represented and consensus decision-making.
The coalition announcement comes as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is in the process of reviewing the use of green building standards by the federal government and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) revises its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. The AHPBC supports certification systems based on sound data, scientific methodology and developed using a consensus process. The coalition will advocate that position with GSA, other federal agencies and in other venues where green building certifications are under consideration.