ASHRAE’s new green building standard would be a good start that the U.S. government could build from, the group’s vice president said at a July 27 hearing.

Ross Montgomery, vice president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, told officials from the U.S. Department of Energy that it should reference standard 189.1, “Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,” in its rulemaking.

“Standard 189.1 represents a revolutionary new step for building standards, as it provides a long-needed green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate green buildings,” Montgomery said. “From site location to energy use and recycling, this standard will set the foundation for green buildings through its adoption into local codes. ASHRAE strongly believes that standard 189.1 can help meet many of the federal government’s building needs.”

The standard was published in January.