FEDERAL LEADERSHIP IN HIGH PERFORMANCE and SUSTAINABLE
BUILDINGS
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
PURPOSE: With this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signatory agencies
commit to federal leadership in the design, construction, and operation of High-
Performance and Sustainable Buildings. A major element of this strategy is the
implementation of common strategies for planning, acquiring, siting, designing, building,
operating, and maintaining High Performance and Sustainable Buildings. The signatory
agencies will also coordinate with complementary efforts in the private and public
sectors.
BACKGROUND AND FEDERAL POLICY: The Federal government owns
approximately 445,000 buildings with total floor space of over 3.0 billion square feet, in
addition to leasing an additional 57,000 buildings comprising 374 million square feet of
floor space. These structures and their sites affect our natural environment, our economy,
and the productivity and health of the workers and visitors that use these buildings.
Therefore, the Federal government is committed to designing, locating, constructing,
maintaining, and operating its facilities in an energy efficient and sustainable manner that
strives to achieve a balance that will realize high standards of living, wider sharing of
life=s amenities, maximum attainable reuse and recycling of depletable resources, in an
economically viable manner, consistent with Department and Agency missions. In doing
so and where appropriate, we encourage the use of life cycle concepts, consensus-based
standards, and performance measurement and verification methods that utilize good
science, and lead to sustainable buildings.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS MOU: Consistent with and in addition to
Federal policy, statutes, executive orders and supplemental agency policies and guidance,
the Parties to this MOU collaboratively seek to establish and follow a common set of
sustainable Guiding Principles (attached) for integrated design, energy performance,
water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and materials aimed at helping Federal
agencies and organizations:
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Reduce the total ownership cost of facilities;
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Improve energy efficiency and water conservation;
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Provide safe, healthy, and productive built environments; and,
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Promote sustainable environmental stewardship.
OTHER LAWS AND MATTERS: This MOU is for internal management purposes of
the Parties involved. It is not legally enforceable and shall not be construed to create
any legal obligation on the part of any of the signatories. This MOU shall not be
construed to provide a private right or cause of action for or by any person or entity. This
MOU in no way restricts the Parties from participating in any activity with other public
or private agencies, organizations or individuals.
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