USGBC's Consensus Effort questioned by ASC at GSA review.
Press Release Summary:
Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) questioned U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) commitment to consensus-based approach in development of LEED rating system. Consequently, ASC urged U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to not recommend the system as green certification standard for Federal Government at Agency listening session. Mark Collatz of ASC specifically pointed out USGBC's "random approach to making revisions" and its lack of commitment to openness and due process.
Original Press Release:
ASC Questions USGBC's Consensus Effort at GSA Review
Bethesda, MD- The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) questioned the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) commitment to a consensus-based approach in the development of its LEED rating system and as a result urged the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to not recommend it as green certification standard for the Federal Government at the Agency listening session yesterday.
"While USGBC might argue it follows the Federal Government's requirements for a consensus-base organization, it is clear by its random approach to making revisions to the recent LEED 2012 proposal that it lacks commitment to openness and due process," said Mark Collatz, ASC's director of government relations.
As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), GSA is required to evaluate green building certification systems every five years to identify a system "deemed to be the most likely to encourage an environmentally sound approach to certification of green buildings." The listening session was part the year-long process to gather input from the public and stakeholders that will contribute to the decision making process.
"The danger in endorsing LEED as the single acceptable green building rating system for the federal government is it can lead to the USGBC's further monopolization in these types of programs. GSA must foster competition and give full consideration to other rating systems such as the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes program, which is an ANSI accredited standard," said Collatz.
Collatz also pointed out that GSA is reviewing USGBC's LEED 2009 rating system but if the proposed LEED v.4 is adopted, the Agency must immediately institute a new review given the expected breadth of the changes.
For further information regarding this activity, please contact ASC staff members Mark
Collatz (301/986-9700 ext. 112).
The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) is a North American trade association dedicated to representing the adhesive and sealant industry. The Council is comprised of 119 adhesive and sealant manufacturers, raw material and equipment suppliers, distributors and industry consultants, representing more than 75% of the U.S. industry with operations around the world. Offering education, legislative advocacy, professional networking and business growth solutions for its members, the ASC is the center of knowledge and catalyst for industry growth on a global basis for manufacturers, suppliers and end-users. For more information about ASC, visit www.ascouncil.org.
