by jbs120308 e3 — December 8, 2008—Green Seal has announced a Green Facilities Partnership program (.pdf file) designed to recognize and provide assistance to organizations working to implement environmentally preferable operations and maintenance practices. The recognition is based on how well an organization implements a plan based on its particular opportunities and challenges; the Partnership is not a standard-based certification program.
Participating facilities can achieve three levels of recognition: Green Facilities Partner, Green Facilities Leader, and Green Facilities Champion. Developed to complement established green building certification programs—in particular the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system—the Partnership’s highest recognition goes to organizations working to achieve LEED certification for its operations and maintenance (O&M) program.
To participate, applicants provide Green Seal with current, categorized O&M data (HVAC, energy systems, janitorial services, landscaping, etc.) as well as administrative policies and procedures. The applicant then designs a Green Facilities Action Plan, including benchmarks and deadlines, to be approved by Green Seal.
Once the action plan is accepted, the applicant is officially recognized by Green Seal as a Green Facilities Partner and is touted as such in various promotional materials issued by Green Seal. The partner is responsible for submitting quarterly progress reports to Green Seal, which will formally review the partner’s progress on an annual basis. The action plan will be reviewed at this time as well, and updated or revised if necessary.
