The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) was established in 1993 to generate a national concensus for "producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out": environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Its introduction of LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) Green Building Rating System, perhaps its greatest contribution, defined green building by establishing a common standard of measurement for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. 

New York House interviewed USGBC president Rick Fedrizzi in May.

NYH How do you account for the growth in public awarenss of green building?
RF It's a combination of factors. With rising energy costs and growing awareness about environmental threats like global warming, businesses, governments, and consumers are looking for ways to save money while also protecting the environment. Green building is an immediate, measurable way to do both. People's comfort level with green building has also increased—when you see a company like Ford building green, and see the real returns, it becomes clear that green building isn't some difficult fringe activity. Instead, it's just the right way to do business.

NYH How important was the introduction of LEED rating system in 2000?
RF The introduction of LEED was huge—I don't think we'd be where we are today without it. Third-party certification, like LEED certification, is critical to effecting market transformation. Before LEED, multiple and contradictory definitions of "green" abounded and "green washing" was rampant; we created LEED to provide the market with a common definition and objective, verifiable standards. Committing to certification and recognition of that commitment sets the bar at a level high enough to drive real impact in terms of reduced energy and water consumption; reduced greenhouse gasses; and human health, wellness, and productivity. The full spectrum of the market—from environmentalists to the Fortune 500—can embrace LEED because it provides environmental benefits while verifying a return on your investment.

NYH What about LEED standards for homes?

"We've got a tremendous amount of momentum, and we're headed in the right direction."

RF USGBC is very excited about bringing the LEED rating system to the residential market. Consumers have more and more opportunities to make choices that are good for their own health and the health of the environment, like buying organic produce or fuel-efficient cars. They should have the same opportunity when they're making one of the most important purchases a family can make, and, equally importantly, they should be able to trust that the home they're buying meets their standards and expectations. LEED will provide home builders and buyers with a comprehensive program for creating healthy, efficient, affordable, and beautiful homes. And just like it has done on the commercial side, LEED will provide the residential market with a nationally recognized, consistent, and rigorous benchmark for performance. Whether you're in Arizona or Minnesota or New York, you'll know that the home you're purchasing will be good for the environment and good for your family.

We're currently pilot-testing the residential program in 11 different markets across the country. One hundred and seven developers, including 14 affordable-housing developers, are participating in the pilot, and about 450 homes are currently on track for certification. 

NYH While most green practices add little to overall costs, some applications are expensive. How, and when, will the price point for green come down?
RF You're right that building green doesn't add much to overall costs—several studies of commercial buildings, including one conducted by the U.S. General Services Administration, have found that LEED certification can be achieved with little or no additional cost. And there are some very simple strategies—like orienting your building from east to west to take advantage of the sun's natural warmth and light—that don't cost anything but have a huge impact.

We've already seen the price point drop significantly. The increased demand for green building has been accompanied by an increase in green building products and services. Things that you used to have to special order, like chemical-free paint or nontoxic adhesives, are now on the shelves at Home Depot.

Plus, you have to remember that, even if you spend a little more money at the beginning, you more than make it back through energy and water savings—and you can't put a price on your health.

NYH Is green here to stay?
RF Green is absolutely here to stay. It's grown into an $11 billion industry. That doesn't mean we don't have a long way to go—we still have a lot of people to educate. But we've reached a point where the benefits are clear.

We've also reached a point where we don't have any choice but to change the way we do things; the planet isn't going to let us keep doing business as usual. We've got a tremendous amount of momentum, and we're headed in the right direction.

Learn more about the USGBC at www.usgbc.org.

Photo courtesy U.S. Green Building Council