Running summarizing tools on a new article

Abstract: The market place of the design and construction of high performance buildings is dynamic and evolving.Professionals through out the building industry use assessment rating systems to evaluate and differentiate their product or design.GSA is a significant participant in the building industry and it is critical for GSA to evaluate the performance of projects.Since 2003, all GSA projects are to use and achieve a certified rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Enviromental and Energy Design (LEED ® ) green building rating system.In order to keep pace with the evolving and developing rating systems available, Section 609 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (PL109-115, signed November 30, 2005), states: "… the Administrator shall report to the relevant congressional committees of jurisdiction on the progress and next steps toward recognition of other credible sustainable building rating systems within the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sustainable building procurement process."This summary document was prepared to offer information on sustainable building rating systems for GSA's consideration in their response to this request.This document does not provide a recommendation for GSA but rather a summary of the information found for each sustainable building rating system.GSA buildings are typically built for a 100 year life following stringent guidelines to enhance the asset value.GSA's Design Excellence program compels design teams to create the highest quality buildings.It is commonly recognized that a whole building, integrated design approach upholds a sustainable or green building design, which in turn provides the optimal performance for the desired design goals.Sustainable design tools used for GSA projects must set parameters to improve quality, decrease the life cycle environmental impact, and optimize life cycle costs of the buildings.The tools must support long-term performance for an innovative and flexible future.GSA must evaluate its buildings consistently using one system in order that the projects can be compared equally with other GSA buildings, other Federal buildings, and the U.S. building market.Using one sustainable building rating system allows for comparisons and benchmarking of existing buildings as well as a mechanism to track GSA's progress toward designing and operating the best buildings for their occupants.The information compiled in this document was collected from January 15 -May 1, 2006 through literature reviews and internet available information.Information was also provided directly from the rating system owners.Sustainable building rating systems evolve, therefore a time frame was used to create absolute boundaries.The rating systems change frequently to adjust to the market which makes capturing the current state behind the scenes a challenge.Although publicly available information and rating system provided information do not tell "the whole story", this is documentable information for the rating system selection process.Additionally, there are green building experts that can offer anecdotal information on their experience with these rating systems.This type of information was not solicited or included due to the challenge of ensuring a balanced and currently accurate review.Table of Contents Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………… ii I. Introduction……………………………………………………………………. 1 II.Sustainable Building Rating Systems…………………………………………..2 III.Screening Analysis of Rating Systems…………………………………………4 IV.GSA Drivers for Sustainable Design and Use of a Rating System…………….6V. Review Criteria for Applicable Rating Systems……………………………….8 VI.Rating System Summaries…………………………………………………….10 VII.Review of Applicable Rating Systems………………………………………..18 VIII.Summary………………………………………………………………………28 Appendix A References…………………………………………………………….31 Openness of Operations Transparency of Rating System Membership Numbers How much information is available publicly?