USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced a new initiative designed to ensure the use of sustainable and environmentally protective products in buildings by applying technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program. This new initiative acknowledges USGBC’s success in leading the transformation of the built environment and sets up a pathway to take advantage of the materials science expertise of ACC and its members.

“USGBC and ACC share the goal of advancing sustainability in the built environment, and we will work together to take advantage of our collective strength and experience,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The looming impacts of climate change and the possibilities of improving human health and wellbeing favor collaboration and engagement as key strategies. The goal is forward progress.”

ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley noted, “Modern energy efficiency gains, building safety advances and carbon footprint reductions would not be possible without the products of chemistry. From windows to insulation, adhesives to flooring, chemistry provides solutions that enable the energy efficient and sustainable buildings that consumers expect in today’s world.

By combining USGBC, a leader of the green building movement, with the scientific know-how of ACC, we can develop a path to stronger, science-based standards that achieve measurable progress in sustainability.”

LEED is regularly updated through a rigorous development process that includes public comments, technical review and balloting. USGBC and ACC will work within that framework to incorporate state-of-the-art safety, sustainability and life-cycle based approaches to LEED. LEED has facilitated advances in building technologies, integrated design and operating practices, as well as the tremendous growth of the green building sector, which supports or creates 7.9 million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

The American business of chemistry employs nearly 800,000 Americans and supports nearly 25 percent of the U.S. GDP. Chemistry-based plastic building and construction materials saved 467.2 trillion BTUs of energy over alternative construction materials – enough energy saved over the course of a year to meet the average annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households. Energy savings made possible by innovations in chemistry in homes in the U.S. prevented nearly 283 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2010—equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 50 million passenger vehicles.

In a recent survey conducted by Building Design+Construction, more than 75% of respondents indicated they currently use BIM or plan to use it. Respondents were also asked to comment on their experiences with BIM, what they liked and disliked about BIM, and what BIM-related advice they would give to their peers.

The ACI and CRSI anchor training program is expected to be ready by the end of 2

| Oct 14, 2011

ACI partners with CRSI to launch new adhesive anchor certification program

Adhesive anchor installer certification required in new ACI 318-11.

| Oct 14, 2011

Midwest construction firms merge as Black and Dew

Merger is aimed at increasing market sector capabilities and building on communication and core contracting competencies.

| Oct 14, 2011

AIA Continuing Education: optimizing moisture protection and air barrier systems

Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and passing the online exam.

| Oct 12, 2011

BIM Clarification and Codification in a Louisiana Sports Museum

The Louisiana State Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the sporting past, but it took innovative 3D planning and coordination of the future to deliver its contemporary design.

Currently Reading

USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

Tags

| Oct 17, 2011

| Oct 17, 2011

| Oct 17, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 14, 2011

| Oct 12, 2011

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: