By Healthcare Facilities Today

Portland, Ore. –  The Green Building Initiative (GBI) applauds the General Services Administration on its

recognition of Green Globes® alongside the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED®) as the two recommended third-party certification systems for the federal government to use to gauge performance

of its buildings. The recommendation was made in a letter of October 25th, 2013 addressed to Dr. Ernest Moniz, United

States Secretary of Energy.

“Since 2004, GBI has been focused on bringing flexible, cost-effective alternatives to the green building certification

market,” stated Ray Tonjes, Chairman of GBI and president of Ray Tonjes Builder from Austin, Tex. “The General Services

Administration’s recognition of Green Globes alongside of LEED is representative of our achievements in providing a

comprehensive, transparent and consensus-driven rating system and product line to the market.”

GBI’s growth in the market is due to its commitment to the practicality of its tools for use by building owners, designers,

and facility managers as well as its commitment to open, consensus-based review of its technical criteria. In 2010, GBI was

recognized for developing Green Globes for New Construction as the first ever American National Standard for a

commercial building rating system. As it continues to improve its rating systems based on changes in the market, GBI

remains committed to using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved consensus procedures.

“GBI is the only commercial building rating system developer to vet its technical criteria through the ANSI process,” stated

GBI Chairman Tonjes. “This helps to ensure that GBI’s rating systems provide the opportunity to evaluate the widest range

of buildings using an open, science-based approach to building performance.“

ANSI/GBI 01-2010, also known as Green Globes for New Construction, is due for revision before the end of 2015 based on

ANSI periodic maintenance requirements. According to Tonjes, GBI’s ANSI-based rating system review process will begin

before the end of this year with the filing of required documents followed by reformation of the technical review

committee.

GBI’s tools have a significant focus on both the reduction and efficient use of energy and water in buildings. These, along

with other criteria, help reduce building operating costs and their overall impact on the environment.

“Since 2005, the Green Globes product line has evolved to include several updated and expanded tools” stated Erin

Shaffer, vice president of federal outreach at GBI.

The overall GBI product line now includes:

· Green Globes® for New Construction;

· Green Globes® for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings;

· Green Globes® for Health Care;

· Green Globes® Professional (GGP) Credential;

· Green Globes® Assessor (GGA) Credential;

· Guiding Principles Compliance Certification (for federal agencies);

· Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP) Credential

Shaffer adds, “Our customer service team and onsite third-party assessments with highly qualified, well vetted assessors

are key differentiators for those in the market seeking a smarter way to assess and certify green buildings.”

About Green Globes - Green Globes is a web-based program for green building guidance and certification that includes an

onsite assessment by a third party. Backed by comprehensive customer support, Green Globes offers a streamlined and

affordable way to advance the overall environmental performance and sustainability of commercial buildings. It is suitable

for a wide range of buildings including offices, multi-family structures, hospitals, and institutional buildings such as

courthouses, schools, and universities.

About the Green Building Initiative™ - The GBI is a nonprofit organization and ANSI Standards Developer dedicated to

accelerating the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable

buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. Founded in 2004, the organization is the U.S.

provider of the Green Globes and Guiding Principles Compliance building certification programs