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Congress recognizes National Green Building Standard in for use with military housing.

12/17/2014 Upper Marlboro, MD

National Green Building Standard Approved for Military Housing in 2015 NDAA

With passage by Congress last week of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) is now authorized for use with all military residential construction.

Consensus-development and cost were key considerations in Congress’ decision to expand green requirements to include the NGBS. With the passage of this bill, Congress stipulated that the Department of Defense should consider all facets of the certification going forward, including cost, when deciding among rating systems.

Previously, the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program was the only green rating system specifically approved for use in new military projects. Project managers can now select from the NGBS, LEED, or Green Globes when choosing a green certification program for new residential or remodeling projects.

“We commend Congress’ choice to expand green options for military housing,” said Michael Luzier, Home Innovation President & CEO. “NGBS Green Certification can help the Department of Defense meet federal energy and water reduction goals and provide comfortable living spaces to military personnel, while also saving taxpayer dollars. This recognition reinforces the NGBS as a market leader.”

Private military housing provider Balfour Beatty has already selected the NGBS as its green certification program of choice. Balfour Beatty is currently seeking NBGS Green Certification for townhouses and single-family homes being constructed on military bases located in Virginia, Texas, and Colorado.

Federally-funded military housing represents approximately 16 percent of the federal estate portfolio.

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