Does Executive Order Signal Shift in Green Building Regulations?
Executive Order 13514 requires that, going forward, 95 percent of federal buildings must comply with "sustainability requirements." Section 2(h) of the Executive Order provides more details on the new green federal contracting requirements:
[T]he head of the agency shall . . . advance sustainable acquisition to ensure that 95 percent of new contract actions including task and delivery orders, for products and services with the exception of acquisition of weapon systems, are energy-efficient (Energy Star or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) designated), water-efficient, biobased, environmentally preferable (e.g., Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified), non-ozone depleting, contain recycled content, or are non-toxic or less-toxic alternatives, where such products and services meet agency performance requirements . . . .
It is interesting that there is no mention of a green building rating system in this section. President Obama has already signaled an interest in having the White House LEED certified. Federal agencies have shown a penchant for requiring LEED certification. For example, the General Services Administration is now requiring that all projects achieve LEED Silver certification. Generally speaking, lawmakers across the board have drafted green building regulations to require some type of rating system certification.
Does Executive Order 13514 signal the federal government's intent to move away from green rating certifications for federal buildings?
Related Links:
- A Green Certification on the Horizon for the White House? (GreenerBuildings)
- GSA Sustainable Design Program (GSA)
- President Obama Signs Executive Order (White House Briefing Room)
Chris,
I am not sure I would read this EO as ditching LEED or rating systems, but rather a broader direction involving overall executive branch operations and not just design, construction and renovation efforts.
Chris,
I agree with the previous comment. EO 13514 builds upon the high performance sustainable building goals of EO 13423, which set goals for green buildings in the following areas: use of integrated design principles, energy performance, water use, indoor air and lighting quality, and environmental impact of materials. While LEED certification can certainly assist in meeting the goals, it is not a necessary requirement.