The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires federal agencies to use a green building certification system for new construction and major renovations of buildings.  One of the most commonly used systems in the U.S. are the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED certifications, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Buildings can qualify for four levels of LEED certification -- certified, silver, gold, or platinum.

DOD established a policy in 2010 that new construction and major repair and renovation projects be certified at least LEED-Silver or its equivalent.  In 2012, Congress requested a report from DOD on the energy-efficiency and sustainability standards used for military construction and major renovations of buildings.  The DOD's report must include cost-benefit analysis, return on investment, and long-term payback for the building standards related to energy use and high-performance buildings and for the LEED and equivalent green building certification systems.  To obtain independent, objective advice in developing the response to this congressional request, DOD asked the National Research Council to conduct a review of the existing literature.

The committee that wrote the report found that DOD's current policy is sound, although not every high-performance or green building will have significant energy and water savings -- even if it is certified at a LEED-Silver or equivalent rating.  The research studies did not provide sufficient evidence to draw generalizations as to why, but building type as well as the specific technologies employed to reduce energy or water use were factors.

DOD should establish practices to evaluate its high-performance or green buildings after construction to ensure that objectives are met, performance continues to improve, and the measures required to reduce levels of energy and water use are cost-effective.  Specifically, for all new construction and major renovations, DOD should measure actual performance for at least three years after initial occupancy and use the resulting information to modify its policies as needed.  In addition, data for conventional DOD buildings should be gathered to establish baselines for performance measurement.  The report also recommends that DOD retain the flexibility to modify building standards and the application of green building certification systems in ways that are appropriate to the department's operating environment and mission. 

Using an investment approach that looks at the total cost of lifetime building ownership with the full range of benefits and expenses will also aid in decision-making about investments in DOD buildings, the report says.  This approach would account for variations in geographic conditions, climate, type of building, and local prices for energy, water, and other utilities.  To be effective, however, DOD will need to ensure that the data used in the analysis are accurate and reliable. 

Because high-performance or green buildings incorporate integrated design practices and new technologies, facilities managers will need to be trained to understand how to operate them effectively.  Implementation of the Federal Building Personnel Training Act of 2010 should help ensure that DOD facilities managers are certified in the required competencies and skills, the report says.

The study was sponsored by U.S. Department of Defense.  The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies.  They are private, independent nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a congressional charter granted to NAS in 1863.  The Research Council is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.  For more information, visit http://national-academies.org.  A committee roster follows.

Contacts: 

Lorin Hancock, Media Relations Officer

Luwam Yeibio, Media Relations Assistant

Office of News and Public Information

202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu

Pre-publication copies of Energy-Efficiency Standards and Green Building Certification Systems Used by the Department of Defense for Military Construction and Major Renovations are available from the National Academies Press on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu or by calling tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242.  Reporters may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

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NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment

Committee to Evaluate Energy-Efficiency and Sustainability Standards Used by the Department of Defense for Military Construction and Repair