USGBC-NCR Advocacy Committee Mission Statement (2009)
Societal transformation in the building sector requires public policy changes at all levels of government, including federal, state and local government levels. In order to promote the mission of USGBC to transform buildings and communities so that they promote an environmentally sound, socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment, the USGBC-NCR Advocacy Committee will promote LEED as the standard for public and private green building design in the region through education and advocacy initiatives.
USGBC-NCR Chapter faces a particular challenge of crossing state and local government jurisdictions. The Chapter covers three political entities with state-level status (Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia) and numerous local jurisdictions (cities, counties, and school districts). Therefore, the goals and objectives of the committee need to take into consideration the policy formation procedures, interests and challenges of the various states and local governments. These approaches range from mandatory adoption of LEED standards for public and private buildings (Washington, DC) to state-level mandatory LEED standards for public buildings and incentives for the private sector (Maryland) to referencing LEED energy performance standards (and Green Globes) for state buildings (Virginia).
Sub-committees will be formed that work in the three respective “states.” These sub-committees will work under the guidance of the region-wide objectives, as well as develop their own objectives, in collaborations with other USGBC chapters and related organizations. An additional sub-committee could be formed, if interest from members is clearly demonstrated, to focus on national legislation, given the location of the chapter in the nation’s capital. However, this sub-committee would need to work closely with national USGBC, since they maintain staff that already addresses national legislation.
The Advocacy Committee Chairperson will coordinate region-wide efforts and the sub-committee work in the three main jurisdictions. The Chair will work with the Executive Director to promote and maintain an effective chapter-wide Advocacy Committee, including encouraging at least one committee member to attend an annual Advocacy training seminar sponsored by USGBC. Also, the Advocacy Committee Chair will convene bi-monthly to conduct business and will update the chapter board of directors on advocacy efforts in the region
REGION-WIDE OBJECTIVES
Objective 1: Maintain and build relationships with green education, planning, and advocacy organizations in the chapter region
-Participate in MWCOG IGBG Meetings; coordinate sustainability education and advocacy efforts with AIA-COTE-DC, AIA-COTE-NoVA, Virginia Sustainable Building Network, GreenHome, and others.
-Support and promote participation on Green Tie Affair each year to strengthen ties with other related organizations.
Objective 2: Serve as a resource on the LEED rating system and sustainable design to local governments and organizations
-Offer LEED technical review workshops, which will be advertised regionally.
- Link with USGBC National to update regional green building policies successes. Work with national to bring the LEED-registered and certified building database into the NCR website.
-Provide information to local governments that provides examples from other jurisdictions on public policy, codes, or comprehensive planning processes that can promote Green building guidelines, mandatory adoption, and incentive programs.
- Provide information to local governments that can assist them with sustainable infrastructure planning on transportation, sewer, public site lighting, watershed protections, etc.
- Achieve at least one public LEED-certified building in each county jurisdiction of the NCR: registered within two years; certified within 5 years.
Objective 3: Promote the LEED for Schools program; provide guidance and resources to local school districts
-Achieve at least one LEED-certified school in each county jurisdiction within three years
-Reference additional LEED for Schools Advocacy goals and objectives.
Objective 4: Promote the LEED For Homes program; provide guidance and resources to local residential builders and developers
-Achieve at least one LEED-certified residential dwelling in each county jurisdiction within three years
-Reference additional LEED for Homes Advocacy goals and objectives
OBJECTIVES FOR SPECIFIC STATES AND WASHINGTON, DC
Objective 5: Develop policy positions, and support legislative and regulatory actions that flow from such positions, for the three respective “state-level” jurisdictions.
- For Maryland, the Chapter should work with the Baltimore Region Chapter, which is taking the lead on state-level advocacy, to assess and promote relevant legislation. The sub-committee should discuss with the BRC the role a hired lobbyist might play in furthering the goals of the USGBC in Maryland. Key contact: Marc Shaener, BRC