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Standards & Guidelines

As the green movement gains momentum nationwide, what was once considered a trend has now become a global imperative.

The green movement first put down roots in the U.S. in the 1970s, in response to the energy crisis and decades of urban development that ignored climate issues and their effect on buildings and occupants. Yet it wasn’t until 1990 that the pioneering Austin Green Building Program formed in Texas, notably followed in 1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The remainder of the decade saw the formation of a number small green building groups – primarily on the west coast – and with it came a recognition of the need for uniform green building standards and guidelines.

To this end, a number of groups set out to develop programs – including the USGBC, which premiered its groundbreaking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ in 1998. After the advent of LEED, the green building movement exploded, as municipal, state and federal agencies began to establish standards and guidelines, tax incentives, and governmental regulations to encourage green practices, and a host of other organizations followed suit – among them the National Association of Home Builders. Although there is no “national” standard, all strive for the same goal: the design and construction of high-performance green buildings that afford maximum quality of life, with minimal environmental impact.

Following is a list of noteworthy standards and guidelines, tax incentives, and governmental regulations that are in use today, as well as prominent green building organizations. Take a look state-by-state for an indication of how the local dialogue has evolved over the years.

National Standard & Guidelines:
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System
National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines
Whole Building Design Guide
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Energy
The Green Schools Initiative
High Performance Green Buildings Act of 2006 (Pending)