NAHB has asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development to include the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard in all federally funded programs for residential sustainability wherever applicable — including programs for new and existing housing, single-family and multifamily properties and the development of land for residential purposes.

This would ensure that HUD’s sustainability programs have the flexibility to encourage green development under a wide range of regional and geographic conditions and accommodate various construction practices, NAHB told the agency in a series of meetings this summer.

“NAHB is concerned that HUD has yet to appropriately recognize the National Green Building Standard as a qualifying standard for the agency’s sustainability-related initiatives,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen.

“NAHB and the home building industry support many of the sustainability concepts that are at the heart of HUD’s discretionary programs,” he added.

Nielsen noted that NAHB members have been implementing many of these concepts in their building and re-development efforts for some time.

NAHB has been committed to green building for many years, as demonstrated by the association’s policy on “smart growth,” its support for green building efforts and its National Green Building Conference.

NAHB’s most recognizable contribution to sustainability was its decision to develop a credible standard for residential green building in accordance with the standard-making principles administered by the American National Standards Institute — or ANSI.

With the publication of this ANSI-approved standard in 2009, there is now a true industry standard available that can be used to rate the relative sustainability or “greenness” of new single-family and multifamily buildings, as well as the renovation of existing buildings and the development of land for use in residential subdivisions.

To comply with the ICC 700, all buildings must address stringent energy, water and material resource efficiency criteria, as well as indoor environmental quality and sustainable land development practices.

In carrying ANSI approval, the standard is compliant with the federal government’s National Technology Transfer and Advancement (NTTA) Act of 1995, which requires U.S. federal agencies to recognize and incorporate existing consensus standards.

The law requires more weight be given to standards — like the ICC 700 — that have undergone development through a consensus process.

Federal agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, building code officials, and green organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Green Building Initiative and many regional green building programs have all been involved in shaping the ICC 700.

The ICC 700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating Systems (LEED) — which consists of LEED for Homes (LEED-H) and LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) — are arguably the best known residential green building protocols in the U.S.

And while both programs provide the housing industry with guidance on building greener homes, neighborhoods and communities, and both have been referenced in public policy to promote green building, “We want to make sure that HUD is not giving preference to one program over another,” said Susan Asmus, NAHB senior vice president for environment, labor, safety and health.

For more information, email Kevin Morrow at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8375.

'National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.

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'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com

The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.

The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

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The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.

Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 5,400 people have earned the CGP designation to date.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.

'Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.