For Immediate Distribution

January 19, 2011

USGBC Approves Green Advantage for LEED® Innovation Credit

WASHINGTON, DC (January 19, 2011) – Green Advantage, Inc. has been notified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) that the Green Advantage (GA) personnel certification program has been approved as a LEED Innovation Credit for projects seeking LEED® Certification.

This USGBC approval enables construction projects registered under LEED-NC v2.2 and LEED 2009 BD&C that meet the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard™ to include this Innovation Credit in the projects submitted point total. Already approved by USGBC for projects registered under LEED-NC v2.0 and v2.1, the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard requires at least 30% of select construction personnel to be Green Advantage Certified prior to and throughout a projects construction.

“LEED Certification of buildings is the foremost standard of green building in the United States. Green Advantage is extremely pleased to have the US Green Building Council expand its formal recognition of the contribution of Green Advantage Certified personnel to construction projects,” said Grady O Rear, President/CEO of Green Advantage, Inc. “Use of Green Advantage Certified personnel has been found to improve achievement of a construction projects environmental, health, green rating and crew collaboration goals. Green Advantage Certified personnel have not only demonstrated their knowledge of the „why behind green design and construction, but the „what and how of effective construction field practices.”

Available nationwide, Green Advantage Exams are administered "open book and may be taken either at testing centers or on location in group settings. Exams are available for both residential and commercial practitioners and will be available in Spanish later this year. Although not required, training in preparation for the Green Advantage Exams is recommended.

For more information about USGBC recognition of Green Advantage Certified Personnel and the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard Innovation Credit's eligibility under LEED-NC v2.2 and LEED 2009 BD&C visit Green Advantage LEED Innovation Credit or email info@greenadvantage.org. View USGBC Notification of Approval.

About Green Advantage: Launched in 1998, Green Advantage® Certification was created with support from the US EPA, SAIC, The Nature Conservancy, and the University of Florida. Individuals attaining Green Advantage (GA) Certification have passed the Green Advantage Certification Exam®, demonstrating practical knowledge of current green building principles, materials, and techniques as well as the rationale for green building. Commercial, Residential, and Commercial/Residential certifications are available, with a specific exam required for each. Because the green building field is rapidly changing, candidates must become recertified every three years in order to maintain Green Advantage Certification. Green Advantage Certification is primarily designed for construction field personnel: contractors, subcontractors, trades people, architects, engineers, and others in the building industry. Green Advantage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Green Advantage® and GA Exam® are registered trademarks of Green Advantage, Inc. Visit www.greenadvantage.org for more information.