The National Institute of Building Sciences is pleased to welcome the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) as a new council of the Institute. SBIC was originally established in 1981 as the Passive Solar Industries Council to concentrate on energy efficiency in design and construction. Today, SBIC is a leading advocate of the whole building approach to sustainable facilities.

The establishment of SBIC under the auspices of the Institute allows for an expanded focus on the role of resource efficiency and energy use in the achievement of high-performance buildings. SBIC and the Institute share a long history of collaboration and focus on related industry issues. In recent years, SBIC has embraced the high-performance building attributes as a fundamental aspect of their mission. The concept of Beyond Green embraced by SBIC finds parallels in the high-performance and whole building approach that is the foundation of many Institute programs, including the Whole Building Design Guide and the High-Performance Building Council.

"We look forward to continuing the excellent activities of SBIC as it becomes an Institute council," stated Institute President Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA. "SBIC’s focus and expertise on the sustainable use of resources will be a valuable addition to the Institute’s programs and projects and support the Institute’s mission to improve the built environment."

In carrying out SBIC’s activities, the Institute will host the 2011 ceremony for the Beyond Green High Performance Building Awards on March 22 with a briefing on Capitol Hill and a presentation at Catholic University. The awards provide an excellent opportunity to highlight innovative programs, projects and products striving for high performance and will continue to be a program under the Institute.

Membership in the SBIC will also be maintained under the Institute and SBIC publications, including the Green Building Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy, Resource Efficient Homes and the High-Performance School Buildings Resource and Strategy Guide and Energy-10 software, will remain available.

For more information on SBIC visit www.sbicouncil.org or contact sbic@nibs.org.