Green Building Council reaches 10,000 members

July 6

The U.S. Green Building Council has reached a milestone in growth as it accepted its 10,000th member company.

"This achievement is a significant milestone in the growth and development of the green building movement because it demonstrates a broad conviction that our built environment can improve the health of our planet, our economy and our communities," said Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the council.

The Washington-based group oversees the green building certification program known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.

The green building industry is worth $12 billion today, whereas a decade ago it was a "negligible" industry, the group said.