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Vermont Builds Greener (VBG)

Thank you for your interest in the Vermont Builds Greener Program. This program has been in development for over two years. With the completion of the criteria or Scorecard, Version 3.5, we are pleased to present our new program. The Vermont Builds Greener Scorecard is the intellectual property of Building for Social Responsibility (BSR) and is propriety information. Any use or reproduction of the Scorecard with the expressed written permission of BSR is forbidden. We welcome responses and it is our hope that this document will evolve and improve over time as more homes are evaluated and we fine-tune our program. The following is an outline of the Vermont Builds Greener Program along with the VBG Scorecard Version 3.5.
 

VBG VBG Certification Rebate - Offered by the Sierra Club! Overview To view Overview in PDF Format click here VBG Scorecard Certification Oversight Criteria Modification and Updates Verification Form Download Scorecard and Participation Agreement VBG in the News Contact Information

Overview

The Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) Program, an initiative of Building for Social Responsibility (BSR), certifies residential buildings that are constructed to sustainable criteria. The criteria, or Scorecard, has been created and supported by regional experts and can be changed and updated periodically through an open review process. The focus of the program is to promote the construction of homes that are healthy, durable and have reduced impact on the immediate environment and the global resources that support our built environment. This initial program is for new residential construction. It is our hope that we will also offer renovation and remodeling at a future date. Oversight for the program occurs by the VBG Program Committee that has been appointed by the BSR Board of Directors, which has ultimate oversight over the Program. The Program is administered in Vermont through the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. VBG is a model for other residential sustainable-certified programs in the Northeast.



Program Components

The VBG Program components existing and envisioned at this time include the following:
Minimum Requirements Required approaches must be installed in order to receive the basic level of certification as a VBG home.

Scorecard: A multi-page list of approaches, including the basic requirements with the available points that determine a building’s score. In addition to fulfilling all of the required approaches, a minimum of 100 points must be achieved in order to receive the basic level of certification. Points are awarded for house size and can been determined using the House Size Point chart found at the end of the criteria.
VBG Handbook: An accompanying guide that details exactly what is required to obtain points for each approach, provides supplemental details and explanations, and lists information on materials and product resources. (The VBG Handbook is under construction and not available at this time.)
Certification Documentation: Programmatic procedures and forms to document certification of buildings
Web Site: It is envisioned that much of the VBG Program materials would be made available over the Internet.

Certification

In order to receive VBG certification, applicants must incorporate all of the required approaches and a minimum number of points of 175. To receive recognition beyond the minimum threshold, applicants can accumulate points as designated on the Scorecard. Levels of certification will be determined by the number of points achieved.

Certification will likely be by a combination of self-documentation and spot inspections, although final program design has not been completed. Applicants seeking certification must document each of the approaches found in their building. VBG staff or their designees reserve the right to inspect any building or the records of any building seeking or having sought certification.

Certifications will be awarded as “Vermont Builds Greener Certified” Certified with XX Points”.

There will be a fee for certification that will be established by the VBG Program Committee and approved by the BSR Board of Directors. Once additional funding is secured to complete the development of the Vermont Builds Greener Program, the final certification details will be established. At this time, there is not yet a “formal” means of becoming certified.


Oversight

The VBG Program Committee is made up of designees of the BSR Board of Directors and shall be comprised of no less than five individuals with expertise in construction and sustainability. Committee members shall be appointed for one-year terms with the option of renewal as determined by the BSR Directors. The BSR Directors have ultimate oversight over all aspects of the VBG Program.


Criteria Modification and Updates

VBG Criteria are modified and updated according to the following procedures:

• Changes are submitted in writing with:
  a) a specific suggestion of the modification being proposed,
  b) substantiation, research and justification for the change, and
  c) contact and affiliation information of the person proposing the change.
• Suggestions are reviewed and acted on by the Program Committee not less than once a year, in January. Review and action by the Committee may occur more often if deemed warranted by the Committee or BSR Board of Directors. The BSR Board of Directors approves any VBG Program changes.
• 
  Additional points created from action taken on suggestions and changes would be available retroactively to buildings on which these approaches had been installed.

Downloads

VBG Scorecard

To download or print the complete Vermont Builds Greener Program Elements and Scorecard in a PDF format click the link below. 

• Complete VBG Program Elements and Scorecard

VBG Participation Agreement

To download or print the Vermont Builds Greener Participation Agreement in a PDF format click the link below. 

• VBG Participation Agreement

VBG in the News

To download or print a specific article below in a pdf format, click on the related link:

1. Energy Design Update March 2003 - Grappling With National Green Standards
2. Vermont Builds Greener Pushes the Envelope - The nation's greenest residential green building program is unveiled in Vermont.

From Environmental Building News, July 2003 - For the last three years a group of committed builders and other experts has been meeting under the purview of Building for Social Responsibility (BSR) in Vermont to create the nation's most comprehensive, greenest residential green building program yet. Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) is being piloted this summer with a huge array of green criteria. Like most other green builder programs, VBG is built around a combination of required measures and additional points that can be earned for green features. In total, there are 54 required measures and another 226 measures for which more than 430 points are available. To become certified under VBG, a home must achieve all required measures and earn at least 100 points.

Contact Information