Congress Objects to Obama Administration's Green Building Standards

The Obama administration's effort to make government buildings more eco-friendly is drawing fire from Congress. The recently passed 2012 Defense Authorization Act bars the Defense Department from certifying new buildings as meeting LEED Gold or Platinum status. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and Platinum are the two highest ratings given by the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize environmentally sustainable construction. The Defense Department and other agencies typically strive to attain LEED status for all new facilities as part of the administration's green government initiative.

Source: A January 7 article in the Federal Times: http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20120107/FACILITIES02/201070302/

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association