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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the agenda for the 2007 Federal Summit, an annual event that brings together leaders from throughout government and the green building industry. The 2007 summit will address the role that green building plays in meeting the urgent challenges of energy dependence and climate change; featured speakers include EPA Administrator Steve Johnson, GSA Deputy Administrator David Bibb, and House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer Dan Beard. The summit will take place on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

Each year, buildings are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions in the U.S. and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwideÑemissions that directly affect global climate change. Buildings also consume 70% of U.S. electricity; use 15 trillion gallons of water; and consume 40% of raw materials globally. But the significant impact of buildings on the environment means that buildings can also be a significant part of the solution: Green buildings use 36% less energy than conventional buildings, and reduce CO2 emissions by 30-50%.

The USGBC 2007 Federal Summit will be a forum for discussing critical issues such as global climate change and energy dependence, and for keeping government leaders abreast of emergent green building initiatives, tools, and technologies. This full-day event will also include the latest updates on the LEED rating system and other USGBC green building programs.

"The federal government was one of the earliest adopters of LEED, and has been a leader in the movement towards green building," said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC President, CEO & Founding Chair. "With climate change and energy dependence at the top of the legislative agenda, the summit is an opportunity to continue that leadership by learning more about how we can take immediate, measurable action with green building."

A variety of presentations and workshops will explore how USGBC and the LEED Green Building Rating System can support the government in meeting today's environmental challenges. In addition to nine workshops taking place throughout the day, EPA Administrator Johnson, GSA Deputy Administrator Bibb and House of Representatives Chief Administrative Officer Beard will share the perspective of current government leaders.

The federal government, a longtime green building advocate, owns 42 certified and 360 registered projects, totaling over 72 million square feet. Currently, 12 federal agencies use the LEED Rating System, which is endorsed by the General Services Administration (GSA).

For more information about the Federal Summit, click here. For information on LEED and USGBC: www.usgbc.org


USGBC is a nonprofit community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated. USGBC envisions an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous built environment that improves the quality of life. Founding in 1993, the Council now comprises more than 9,000 member organizations representing every sector of the building industry; a 90-person professional staff; and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups. USGBC offers a broad portfolio of LEED¨ green building products and services; professional education programs; and the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Visit www.usgbc.org to learn more.