USGBC advocacy and policy highlights: December 2025
In December, several federal and state policy updates affecting the green building sector were announced. At the federal level, the Department of Transportation opened applications for roughly $1 billion in airport terminal grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with sustainability and LEED certification as key evaluation criteria. Meanwhile, proposed changes to federal student loan rules could limit funding for architecture, engineering and other professional graduate programs, potentially restricting access to higher education in the building industry. Congress also advanced multiple energy-related bills, some seeking to repeal fossil fuel phaseouts and limit state or local energy policies, while others, like the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act, aim to support energy efficiency and conservation in federal buildings. USGBC continues efforts to educate policymakers on LEED-certified projects to demonstrate the value of green buildings.
At the state and local level, USGBC tracked thousands of bills, prioritizing those with significant implications for sustainable building practices. In Alexandria, Virginia, the city released its 2025 Green Building Plan, which removes certification requirements for private projects but maintains standards for public developments, prompting USGBC to advocate for keeping LEED certification as an option. Additionally, USGBC’s Local Green Building Policy Accelerator will return in 2026, offering local governments resources, peer learning and best practices to update or create green building policies. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage in advocacy efforts, participate in policy programs and share information on innovative LEED projects with the USGBC team.
