The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is the resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information on businesses. BBB ensures that high standards for trust are set and maintained. It exists so consumers and businesses alike have an unbiased source to guide them on matters of trust. The BBB is your key adviser, most reliable evaluator and most objective expert on the topic of trust in the marketplace. Better Business Bureai Accreditation is an honor — and not every business is eligible. Businesses that meet the bureau’s high standards are invited to join BBB. Businesses deemed to meet Accreditation Standards are presented to the BBB’s Board (or designees) for review and acceptance as a BBB Accredited Business.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is made up of tens of thousands of member organizations, chapters and student and community volunteers that are moving the building industry forward in a way that has never been seen before. USGBC is a diverse group of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofits, teachers and students, lawmakers and citizens that share the same vision of a sustainable built environment for all within the next generation. Today, there are 76 chapters, 12,870 member organizations and 197,000 LEED professionals.

The nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) was established in 1954. It is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and advocates. ASES is the U.S. Section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). The society’s mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

The Maryland, DC Green Registry is a group of organizations working toward a sustainable Maryland, DC. It began in 2009 as a means to showcase businesses’ and organizations’ positive environmental practices. The Maryland, DC Green Registry is open to organizations and facilities of all types and sizes in both owned and leased space.

The Building Trades Association (BTA) is made up of thousands of companies involved in all phases of the building and construction industries. According to the Remodeling Sentiment Report, 35% of homeowners bypass the general contractor and hire tradesmen themselves including plumbers, electricians and roofers. By entering the building association’s contractor’s directory, these people can locate tradesmen of this type in their own area and gain access to them by following the information supplied in their building association’s construction directory listing.