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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), based in Washington, D.C., promotes the development of affordable and environmentally responsible building structures and practices. The nonprofit represents 13,500 building owners and users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, engineers, contractors, building product manufacturers, nonprofits, and government agencies. USGBC is known for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED (TM), voluntary, consensus-based national rating system. LEED, developed in 2000, promotes the development of high performance, environmentally sustainable buildings. The ratings system encompasses site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection, indoor environmental quality, and other building project certification components. Individual products cannot earn a LEED certification. USGBC maintains 70 regional chapters across the United States. The organization also offers building industry professionals design, construction, and operations educational programs. USGBC is known for its LEED Accredited Professional (TM) program. The nonprofit's Emerging Green Builders educational program is targeted to students and young building industry professionals.
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