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Contact: Mike Gehrig
(512) 794-4712
mgehrig@thegbi.org

GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE™ ANNOUNCES SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROPOSED AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
- Second Version of GBI 01-200XP Available for Comment through December 8 -

Portland, Ore. (October 24, 2008) – Today, the Green Building Initiative (GBI) announced that its proposed American National Standard for commercial green buildings will be released for a second letter ballot and public review period.

The proposed American National Standard, officially known as "GBI Proposed American National Standard 01-200XP: Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings," is based on the Green Globes™ environmental assessment and rating system.

The second 45-day public review period will allow interested parties to review changes resulting from an initial six-week comment period that concluded in June and generated more than 400 comments from the public and 350 comments from the Consensus Body as part of their first Letter Ballot. Comments from the public came from a diverse group of individuals and organizations, including the U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Arkansas and University of Georgia among others.

"We were extremely pleased by the variety of comments we received and greatly appreciate the input of each individual and organization that participated in the GBI's public comment process," said Vicki Worden, GBI staff liaison to the GBI technical committee and Vice President of Commercial Programs and Business Development. "The changes that resulted from the first comment period demonstrate the benefits of ANSI's transparent process, through which constructive feedback is collected from experts in the many fields related to green building. Such comments have helped to improve the proposed standard, and we look forward to the additional feedback we expect to receive as part of the second comment period."

The second public comment period will close on December 8, 2008. Individuals or organizations interested in participating in the public review will find the relevant documents on the GBI Web site (www.thegbi.org) beginning today. Following the second public review period, the consensus body will meet in the first quarter of 2009 to address any additional comments received. The committee hopes to conclude its work on the standard early in 2009.

Anyone interested in being considered for participation on the consensus body is encouraged to complete an application, also available on the GBI Web site (www.thegbi.org). New applicants are considered on a regular basis as vacancies occur, in accordance with GBI’s ANSI-approved procedures requiring balance and consideration of needed expertise.

For more information about the GBI and Green Globes, visit ww.thegbi.org.

About the Green Building Initiative The mission of the Green Building Initiative is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. A not-for-profit education initiative, the GBI is supported by a cross section of organizations and individuals with an interest in residential and commercial construction. To learn more about the GBI or the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system, visit www.thegbi.org.