Did you know that in the United States, buildings account for 36 percent of total energy use and 65 percent of electricity consumption? In addition, buildings are responsible for 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and they suck up 12 percent of all our potable water. With many buildings in use 24 hours a day, that consumption and pollution really adds up, costing lots of money and wasting our valuable resources.

In an effort to make buildings more efficient, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards which acts as a guideline for new construction, as well as renovations. Unfortunately, creating buildings that are healthier and more efficient means eliminating traditional building materials, and the industries that make those materials aren’t too happy about it.

Members of the plastics, vinyl and chemical industries are lobbying to block new LEED standards that would discourage builders from using materials that contain certain chemicals. Known as the “chemical avoidance” provision, the new standard would make it difficult for builders seeking LEED certification to use certain heat-reflecting roofing membranes, PVC piping, foam insulation, crystal silica (which is used in concrete), and wood dust and titanium dioxide (which are used in white paints and roofing membranes).

Since January, the American Chemistry Council and The Vinyl Institute have spent $80,000 and $40,000, respectively, to have outside firms lobby on green building issues and GSA guidelines for building materials, according to Senate records. The Resilient Floor Covering Institute retained Venable to lobby on green building standards, reporting fees of less than $5,000.

The USGBC proposed these new, voluntary standards in an effort to reduce the concentration of chemical contaminants present in new buildings, especially those like schools and office buildings where we spend most of our time. The industry groups counters that these rules unfairly target those in the plastic, vinyl and chemical industries, and will be bad for business. As a result of the overwhelming amount of feedback received, the public comment period on the new standards has been extended.

Photo credit: Dominic’s Pics/Flickr