EPA Releases Guide for Construction Specifiers
After extensive outreach to and input from industry and environmental stakeholders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its partners, the Federal Environmental Executive and the Whole Building Design Guide, have released the Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers.
Written in the language of architects and building contractors, CSI MasterFormat, the guide includes model green language for more than 60 types of specifications–from concrete to coatings to commissioning.
The guide was developed to help federal agencies holistically address the myriad of construction-related environmental goals and mandates, including:
The Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings Memorandum of Understanding.
EPA’s Final Guidance on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing.
Greening of the Government Executive Orders.
EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for recovered content.
USDA’s Biobased Purchasing Program.
In the spirit of continual improvement, near-term expansion plans for the guide include new sections covering: Commercial Kitchen Equipment; Stormwater Management with Compost; Rainwater Harvesting; Vegetative Roof Systems; Constructed Wetlands; Integrated Pest Management; Structural Steel; and Indoor Air Quality Management-Moisture Control. In addition, guidance for utilizing environmental management systems in construction projects and for building on environmentally sensitive sites are being developed.
The guide is a living document; therefore, comments are welcome at any time. To review and comment on the guide, visit: www.govinfo.bz/5969-124 and click on the “comments” button at the bottom of each page.