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Memorandum Of Understanding Between U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Department Of The Interior, And The U.S. Green Building Council

I. COMMON AGREEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES; AUTHORITY

In the spirit of cooperation and to maximize the efficient use of resources and help protect the environment, this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a voluntary agreement between and among its participants, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The purpose of this MOU is for the participants to enter into a partnership to promote the use of sustainable practices and products in the design and construction of buildings and building renovations as well as in the on-going operation of buildings. This will be accomplished by a cooperative effort to explore the application of the USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems to buildings owned and operated by GSA and Interior. The authority for this MOU is the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, Executive Order 13101 - Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition, Executive Order 13123 - Greening the Government Through Efficient Energy Management, and Executive Order 13148 - Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management. The participants hereby agree that the principles of good faith partnership and steadfast adherence to the purposes of this MOU will govern their conduct hereunder.

The USGBC is a non-profit entity whose mission is to advance the use of energy efficient design and technologies, renewable energy and sustainable practices in the built environment. The USGBC is developing new LEED rating systems to apply to existing buildings and commercial interiors. These rating systems will complement the LEED for New Buildings, version 2.0, which has been used within GSA and Interior. The USGBC is sponsoring a pilot program to apply LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED EB) to facilities to evaluate the draft standard, as it is applied to different types of facilities and circumstances.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTICIPANTS

1. U.S. General Services Administration GSA will endeavor to apply the various LEED rating systems to a number of their facilities across the country, and to apply to participate in the LEED EB Pilot Program. GSA agrees to work with Interior to identify Interior-related and other facilities appropriate for the LEED Pilot Programs. For those facilities accepted into the pilot programs, GSA will work cooperatively with USGBC and, as appropriate, with Interior to explore the application of LEED to these facilities, to identify how the LEED rating systems can be improved, and to work to maximize the LEED ratings for these buildings, as practical. Specifically, GSA agrees that the Main Interior Building Modernization program shall emphasize green building design and practices and agrees to pursue certification under a LEED rating system.

2. U.S. Department of the Interior

   Interior also will endeavor to apply LEED rating systems and to have a number of its facilities across the country apply to participate in the LEED Pilot Programs. Interior agrees to work with GSA to identify facilities appropriate for the application of LEED. For those facilities accepted into the pilot programs, Interior will work cooperatively with USGBC and, as appropriate, with GSA to explore the application of LEED to these facilities, to identify how the LEED rating systems can be improved, and to work to maximize the LEED ratings for these buildings, as practical. Interior agrees to support GSA's efforts to emphasize green building design and practices in the Main Interior Building Modernization program and to support the certification process.

3. U.S. Green Building Council

   The USGBC agrees to work with GSA and Interior to consider how LEED could serve as a benchmark of sustainable practices in the design, construction, alteration, renovation, operation and maintenance of federal facilities. The USGBC will afford GSA and Interior the opportunity to help shape revisions to LEED, and to address implementation issues with the committees involved in the establishment and maintenance of the rating systems. For buildings accepted into the LEED Pilot Programs, the USGBC will work with GSA and Interior to explore the application of LEED to these facilities, to identify how the LEED rating systems can be improved, and to provide technical support, clarification, and helpful suggestions with regard to the rating systems and associated documentation requirements, as practical.

III. DURATION

The cooperative work contemplated under this MOU will be in effect for a period of three (3) years after the starting date. The starting date for this agreement is April 22, 2002, and unless otherwise shortened or extended by written agreement of the participants, the ending date is April 21, 2005. This MOU may be terminated at any time upon written notice of any participant to all other participants.

IV MISCELLANEOUS

Nothing herein shall be construed to change the obligations of the participants under any existing contractual relationships.

Nothing herein shall be construed as a governmental endorsement of particular products or brand names.

Except as may be specifically agreed in writing or as expressly set forth herein, the Government is not obligated to expend any funds or make particular resources available in furtherance of this MOU.