On February 5, 2013, the General Services Administration (GSA) published a request for comment on the Federal government's use of green building rating systems. This subject has generated controversy and lobbying activity at the municipal, state and federal level, given the widespread use and perceived monopoly of the green ratings and certification program of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings issued a report identifying three green building certification systems that align with federal sustainable design principles and high-performance operational requirements, including: Green Building Initiative's Green Globes, LEED, and the International Living Building Institute's Living Building Challenge. In vetting these green building certification systems, GSA's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings evaluated the robustness of the certification requirements as well as transparency, ability to address public comments, and national recognition within the building industry. GSA is required to provide a formal recommendation to the Secretary of Energy identifying green building certification systems best suited for evaluation and certification of federal buildings. GSA plans to recommend a flexible approach whereby federal agencies could choose from the three recommended green building certification systems, in recognition of the diversity in the building portfolios of various federal agencies. 

GSA will accept public comments to better inform its recommendation to the Secretary of Energy until April 1, 2013.