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2024 NGBS 2nd Draft Published;
Comments Accepted Through May 27th
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Public comments are accepted through May 27th on the 2nd Draft of the 2024 NGBS standard.
NGBS Green Partners are encouraged to review, as there are several big changes proposed for 2024 NGBS, including new compliance pathways for new construction Energy Efficiency and Existing Buildings, specific Tropical Zone compliance criteria, resilient construction and passive survivability practices, and more.
The final 2024 NGBS is expected to be sent to ANSI for approval by the end of 2024, and Home Innovation will begin offering certification to that version shortly thereafter.
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NEW Field Rep Training Course | |
The NGBS Green Field Rep training course was recently revamped and re-launched on the NGBS Green PRO platform (Digital Chalk).
The NGBS Green Field Rep credential is a great entry-point for those looking to provide verification services but do not meet the prerequisites for NGBS Green Verifier accreditation. Following one year of accreditation and work as a Field Rep (under the supervision of an NGBS Green Master Verifier), individuals are provided a glide path to becoming accredited as a Verifier. Read the Verification Candidate’s Handbook for more details.
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UPDATED Existing Buildings Interpretation:
3-Year Look-back
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The 2020 NGBS expanded the flexibility for buildings to comply with the Existing Buildings pathway. Sections 305.2.5.1 and 305.2.6.1 identify that remodeling activities performed prior to project registration can contribute toward the building’s energy and water consumption reduction targets.
We were recently asked if remodel activities conducted during the "3-year look-back" are subject to the NGBS mandatory practices. Our conclusion: yes, remodeling activities conducted during the look-back period that will be included as part of the consumption reduction analysis are subject to all applicable NGBS mandatory practices.
Read our revised Interpretation.
Remodeling activities can be counted toward the building's green achievement when they can be verified as meeting all applicable NGBS mandatory requirements. Where documentation is not available to verify NGBS mandatory requirements, those remodeling activities should simply be excluded from the consumption reduction path analysis. The installed products/systems do not need to be replaced.
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The NGBS Green team has periodically publishes new and revised important interpretations and Interpretations.
See all NGBS Green Interpretations and Clarifications here.
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Congratulations to HUD GRRP Awardees | |
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In March 2024, the Biden-Harris administration announced $173M in new grant and loan awards under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), bringing total funding awarded under this program to a total of $544M, or more than 50% of funding being awarded through this program. Learn more about the awardees of the 2nd Comprehensive Round here.
NGBS Green Certification at the Gold level, with +NET ZERO ENERGY or +RESILIENCE certification, is a recognized option to meet HUD's Leading Edge requirements. Green certification is also a consideration for the Elements award application. Learn more here.
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Things are Heating Up! New Fire Testing Lab | Home Innovation Research Labs is excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of our all-new Fire Testing Lab! We will be hosting a party at our headquarters in Upper Marlboro, MD on May 10 from 3-6pm to mark this major milestone. If you are interested in attending, Register here or email Sarah Armand to RSVP. | |
GRESB Reporting Now OPEN! | |
Annual reporting to GRESB is open through July 1.
Green building certification is an important validation of a company's commitment to sustainable building operations. NGBS Green Partners can access ESG-related resources to help translate NGBS Green achievements to GRESB benchmarks.
Download the NGBS-GRESB Crosswalk to see how NGBS practices align with specific GRESB indicators.
Each NGBS Green Scoring Tool features GRESB worksheets that show how that specific project contributes toward GRESB.
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Share Your Feedback! GRESB Info Download | |
All projects on AXIS now contain a "GRESB tab" that pulls unique project data from the GRESB worksheets located in the 2020 NGBS Green Scoring Tools.
We want to hear from you to better understand how we can make this information more usable to you. We are exploring data aggregation at the project and client levels, as well as PDF and Excel data exports. Please let us know how we can best meet your reporting needs. Email Katie with your suggestions.
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The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is planning to extend the role of carbon credits in their Corporate Net Zero Standard, which assesses and certifies companies' commitments to meeting net zero emissions. SBTi announced they will allow the use of carbon credits to tackle Scope 3 value chain emissions. Their board plans on releasing a draft on the rule by July 2024. Read more here on the announcement. | |
NGBS as Code Compliance Grows, Recruiting for Verifiers | |
Utah is the most recent state to add NGBS Green certification as an alternative code compliance path with an effective date in July, joining Maryland, Louisiana, and the City of Chicago. We are looking to expand our pool of Verifiers in these states/regions as well as some additional hot spots that we have demand exceeding supply for verification services.
Specifically, the Utah State Construction Code was amended to say, "Buildings complying with ICC 700-2020 National Green Building Standard and achieving the Gold rating level for the energy efficiency category shall be deemed to exceed the energy efficiency required by this code. The building shall also meet the requirements identified in table N1105.2 and the building thermal envelope efficiency is greater than or equal to levels of efficiency and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) in Tables N1102.2.2 and N1102.1.3 of the 2009 IRC."
We anticipate a demand for Verifiers in Utah (as well as several other states). We have a one-pager available on how to become an Accredited Verifier if you are interested.
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Sarasota County CDBG-DR Application Deadline | |
HUD has allocated $201,535,000 in CDBG-DR funds to Sarasota County to aid the long-term recovery from Hurricane Ian for low- to moderate- income individuals. Applications for multifamily affordable housing projects are accepted through May 1st.
Learn more and apply.
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Georgia CDBG-DR Public Hearings - May 2nd | |
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will hold two public hearings—one at 11AM ET and another at 3PM ET, on Thursday, May 2nd at the Historic City Hall at 201 E. Solomon St Griffin, GA 30223.
Georgia was awarded $12,595,000 in CDBG-DR funds for areas affected by the January 2023 tornadoes. During these hearings, the public can share input to inform the development of the Georgia Public Action Plan for its intended use of CDBG-DR funds, which is due to HUD on May 31st.
Learn more and RSVP.
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The federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program requires each state agency that allocates tax credits, generally called a housing finance agency, to have a Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP sets out the state's eligibility priorities and criteria for awarding federal tax credits to housing properties. | |
The following states have or will revise their Qualified Allocation Plans (QAP) for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The summaries below indicate if NGBS Green certification is incentivized and provide information on how to submit comments or stay informed. If you are aware of any current QAP activity in your state or locale not listed here or included in our online QAP Round-Up, please Contact Us. | |
Iowa
A preview of the Iowa Finance Authority's 2025 QAP was recently released. The preview indicates that IFA is planning to allow a 5% increase in eligible basis for projects that have achieved Enterprise Green Communities certification. This is a change from prior QAP versions, which offered 2 optional points for Iowa Green Streets.
IFA is accepting public comments on the 2025 QAP preview. NGBS Green Partners are encouraged ask IFA to offer developers a choice among credible third-party green building programs, including NGBS Green.
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North Dakota
The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) released a draft of their 2025 QAP. The QAP remains the same as the 2024 QAP, which awards 7 competitive points for NGBS Green, LEED, or Enterprise Green Communities certification. NDHFA is accepting comments on the draft plan and the draft 2024 Annual Action Plan through May 13th. See here for more information.
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Utah
The Utah Housing Corporation released a second draft of their 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan. The current 2024 QAP awards 5 competitive points for NGBS Green Certification, LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, ENERGY STAR NextGen, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, Passive House, Green Globes or WELL.
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NGBS Green Product Spotlight | |
CertainTeed Premium Blowing Wool Insulation - OPTIMA(R)
CertainTeed blowing insulation products improve building energy efficiency and reduce building energy consumption over the life of the structure. CertainTeed OPTIMA® is certified for recycled content (604.1), product LCA (610.1.2.1), product EPD (611.1.2), manufacturer's environmental management system (612.1) and low-emission insulation (901.11).
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NEW Certified Product: Green Dot Sign | |
Welcome Green Dot Sign!
Green Dot offers custom eco-friendly ADA signs made of responsibly-sourced and non-toxic materials. Green Dot Sign is newly NGBS Green Certified for 1003.1(1-3) Public Education. We are coordinating with Green Dot to offer new design options for NGBS Green signs, including yard signs, construction site banners, Silent Salesperson signs, and certification plaques. Stay tuned – purchase link coming soon!
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NEW Certified Product: Skyline Cabinetry | |
Welcome Skyline Cabinetry!
Skyline cabinetry is a premier wholesaler of KCMA-certified kitchen and bath cabinetry. Skyline Cabinetry is certified to the KCMA performance standard (602.1.15) and as low-emission (901.5(2)) and contributes toward +WELLNESS certification compliance.
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See the full directory of all NGBS Green PROs featured on our website. | |
About NGBS Green PRO
Earn your NGBS Green PRO professional designation to validate your expertise in green design, construction, and building certification.
Successfully earning the NGBS Green PRO designation demonstrates advanced understanding of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard and the NGBS Green certification program.
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Are you a student interested in green building?
Register with your ".edu" email address and use the discount code NGBSStudentEDU to reduce the course fee with a special discount for students.
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Latest Case Study: Ruth Ellis Center | |
Location: Detroit, Mich.
Developer: Full Circle Communities, Inc.
Verifiers: Lindsey Elton & Jeffrey Parker, Eco Achievers
The Ruth Ellis Center (REC) is unique affordable housing and support center serving the LGBTQ+ community. The REC offers 43 dwelling units for housing-impoverished youth, a health and wellness center, café, technology center, and several other community spaces. The center has established a national reputation for providing positive youth development, harm reduction, restorative justice, and trauma-informed services. The building earned NGBS Green Certification at the Silver level. Green features include location in walk-able community with bicycle lanes, lighting occupancy sensors, central hot water recirculation, and balanced exhaust system. Read more in our case study.
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New Comparison Report – ENERGY STAR Homes & Apartments NextGen v1.0 | Our latest report compares the ENERGY STAR NextGen requirements to 2020 NGBS practices. We found that many ES NextGen requirements contribute toward points in the Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality sections of the NGBS. A single-family home pursuing ENERGY STAR NextGen certification could earn up to 107 points towards NGBS Green based on Climate Zone and design choices. | |
Continuing Education. We Have Options... | |
If you or a client are interested in scheduling virtual or in-person training on the NGBS, contact us about scheduling a Lunch-n-Learn! We have AIA and ICC-approved programs that we'd be happy to deliver, including our newest one - Are Multifamily Certifications Worth it? - based on Michelle's presentation at IBS 2023
Know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green partners? Let us know.
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Get Started with NGBS Green How-to... | Contact us to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with a member of our Green Team to get started. | |
If you know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green program partners, please let us know. | |
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Every other Tuesday, 2:00 PM ET | Join us here
Open Forum for questions, chatting, and whatever you need.
Upcoming dates - Mark you calendars!
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Share Your NGBS Green Program Feedback
Take this 1-minute survey and let us know what you think of our delivery of NGBS Green certification and our customer service.
Give Us Your AXIS Feedback
Complete a 1-minute NGBS Green AXIS Feedback Survey.
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