Over 1,200 companies and groups are urging the General Services Administration to continue using LEED as the standard for energy efficiency.

The businesses and organizations that signed a July 25 letter to the GSA said the standard has improved the sustainability of federal buildings, citing a study that said investments in efficiency are predicted to save up to $18 billion in life-cycle energy costs.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building-rating system certifies structures for sustainable construction and efficiency.

“Our nation's top private-sector leaders agree: The LEED high-performance building rating system saves businesses money and helps deliver higher profits through reduced operating costs,” said Roger Platt, senior vice president of global policy and law with the U.S. Green Building Council, which created LEED. “The same is true for LEED federal facilities, which are saving American taxpayers millions of dollars a year.”

Companies that signed the letter include Skanska, Tishman Speyer and Kohler Co.

"Support for the continued use of LEED by GSA is both broad and deep,” Platt added. “Our more than 13,000 member companies are fully engaged in the development and use of LEED. Businesses and organizations are certifying 2 million square feet of real estate to LEED each day. Clearly there is incredible agreement on the value of LEED and green building in general.”