A plan by the U.S. Green Building Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America to develop a green building standard for commercial construction is back on track.

The consensus process was derailed in October when ASHRAE moved to disband the consensus committee developing the standard. 

ASHRAE announced on Nov. 14 that membership on the committee is being “reconstituted” in order to better address the varied areas covered in the proposed standard.

Candidates can apply at the ASHRAE Web site through Dec. 4.

“The market will benefit from the lead taken by ASHRAE and its cosponsors in developing this most challenging standard, which addresses ever-evolving technology,” said ASHRAE Presidential Member Kent Peterson, who has been named as chair of the committee that will be considering Proposed Standard 189.1.

“As we have proceeded down this path, we recognize that the proposed standard would benefit from additional expertise and more involvement from interested parties,” he said. “We are committed to developing this green building standard with accurate and appropriate technical content through a rigorous, transparent and fair standards development process.”

ASHRAE noted that the proposed standard has generated much public interest, with more than 900 comments received during each of the two public reviews.

ASHRAE said it expects the standard to receive a new full public review in the near future as technical guidance and input is offered by new committee members.

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

Attend the National Green Building Conference in Dallas

Attend the 2009 National Green Building Conference in Dallas on May 10-13 to learn more about the critical paths to green building, and to participate in interactive sessions and be part of the driving force for the green building and remodeling markets.

For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/GreenBuildingConference.