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
» Learn about Greenbuild
» Sign up for e-newsletters
» Become a LEED AP or Green Associate
» Explore green building research

Quick Links

USGBC Announces National Finalists of the 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition

USGBC has announced the four finalists for its 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition, which gives students and emerging professionals the opportunity to apply sustainable design principles to the ongoing the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.
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USGBC Celebrates Five Years of Green Building, Economic & Educational Progress in New Orleans

Five years after the devastating hurricanes that ravaged New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast, many organizations have stepped in to help rebuild the city, placing emphasis on resilience, sustainability and economic prosperity. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the driving force of the green building industry in America, has also made rebuilding New Orleans green a key priority. Through USGBC’s LEED green building certification program, hundreds of homes, schools and commercial buildings are being rebuilt to be high-performance, resource-efficient, durable and healthier places for the people of New Orleans who occupy them. Below is a report of USGBC’s efforts since 2005.
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ASLA Conference Attendees to Receive LEED Credential Maintenance Hours

For the first time ever, conference-goers can gain credits toward their LEED Professional Credential maintenance requirements for 72 educational sessions at ASLA Sept. 10-13.
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LEED for Healthcare: Your Voice Needed

The third public comment period for LEED for Healthcare is now open. The changes made to the rating system since the last public comment period can now be viewed, and comments on the changes may be submitted through 5 p.m. PT Sept. 5. Also, USGBC is now impaneling the consensus body that will vote on the proposed changes once the public comment process concludes. The consensus body is open to individuals employed by USGBC member organizations. You must opt in by 5 p.m. PT Sept. 30 in order to vote when the ballot launches.
View the draft rating system and submit comments »
Opt in to the members-only consensus body »
Learn more about LEED for Healthcare »

Nominate a Person or Organization for 2010 Leadership Awards

The U.S. Green Building Council is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2010 USGBC Leadership Awards. Award nominees should embody the attributes expected of a green building leader and achievements that demonstrate excellence, exemplify the intent and spirit of the green building movement, and have made a significant impact in advancing the green building movement within their sector.
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USGBC, Habitat for Humanity, and Bank of America Team Up for Greenbuild Legacy Project

USGBC, Habitat for Humanity Lake County, and Bank of America have teamed up for the 2010 Greenbuild Legacy Project. Two affordable green homes will be built in Lake County, Ill with construction coinciding with Greenbuild in Chicago, November 16-19, 2010.
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USGBC Community: True Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

The USGBC community's commitment to a mission of transforming the building marketplace has always been a multifaceted one. The impact you have had across many disciplines has been clearly demonstrated as USGBC and its member organizations have recently received prestigious awards celebrating the variety of ways USGBC has shown true leadership in energy and environmental design.
Read more and watch video featuring First Lady Michelle Obama »

Clean Energy Leaders Meet at First Global Clean Energy Ministerial Stakeholder Meeting

On July 19, the Clean Energy Ministerial Stakeholder Meeting, hosted by the American Council On Renewable Energy, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the U.S. Green Building Council, brought together over 150 clean energy leaders from technology companies, financial services, professional services, academia, associations, non-profits and others to discuss the policies and mechanisms necessary for the acceleration of worldwide clean energy deployment.
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USGBC Opens Building Performance Partnership to Current LEED-Certified Buildings

USGBC's Building Performance Partnership (BPP)engages owners and managers of commercial and residential LEED-certified green buildings to optimize the performance of buildings through data collection, analysis and action and is now open the to all current whole-building LEED-certified projects.
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Bank of America Launches Affordable Green Housing Grant Program for LEED for Neighborhood Development Projects

USGBC and Bank of America announce Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program which will award financial and educational resources to LEED for Neighborhood Development projects with affordable green housing available to citizens at all income levels.
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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.

The LEED® green building certification program is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for buildings designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. 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 Professional Credentials (LEED AP and Green Associate) recognize professionals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED green building rating systems, and the certification process. The LEED Professional Credentials 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 credential program.