RALEIGH-The North Carolina House of Representatives approved a second reading of a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit public construction projects from using the US Green Building Council's LEED program.

The House passed the second reading of the House Bill 628-Protect/Promote NC Lumber-by a 78-34 margin, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

The bill says public construction projects may use “a nationally recognized high-performance environmental building rating system” if that green building program doesn't utilize a credit system that it says disadvantages materials or products manufactured or produced in North Carolina.

Emily Scofield, USGBC-NC executive director, said after the House floor vote: “House Bill 628 compelled representatives to protect North Carolina's timber industry without providing evidence that the industry has suffered as a result of LEED certification. The USGBC NC and its supporters worked to present the facts to our representatives that all NC forest products can contribute to points toward certification under the regional materials credits of LEED and some can also contribute to the certified wood credit.” See story in the Charlotte Business Journal.