A General Services Administration advisory committee has recommended that the LEED green building rating system be the agency’s standard to measure energy efficiency.

The committee also suggested using LEED to demonstrate how government buildings use energy and water, and said LEED is the best way to meet the requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

“GSA has been a leader in energy and sustainability, and we are thrilled to see the leaders in the public and private sectors continue to recommend LEED as the best choice for GSA to maintain its leadership status while improving sustainability, reducing energy and saving money for its buildings,” said Roger Platt, senior vice president of the global policy and law for the U.S. Green Building Council, which created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. “Consensus-based and market-driven, LEED has been and continues to be invaluable to thousands of building professionals and remains the best option for the GSA and any governmental agency looking to save taxpayer dollars and increase energy efficiency.”

Citing a Federal News Radio report, USGBC officials said the committee evaluated more than 160 green tools and standards before choosing the LEED program.

“Every single time green building and LEED have been evaluated by our most prestigious institutions, like the National Academy of Sciences, the National Research Council and the National Laboratories, the practice or green building and LEED certification has been shown to save taxpayer dollars and increase energy efficiency,” Platt said. “Lawmakers should see these repeated conclusions and continue supporting public sector use of LEED.”