The USGBC California (USGBC-CA) will present the Product & Civic Leadership Awards on May 28, 2026, at its 25th Annual California Green Building Conference. These awards acknowledge the leaders who are making a difference through outstanding achievements in sustainability, green building, and innovative products. 

In addition to the annual awards, USGBC California will be announcing live the winners of its first global design competition, “Shaping the Future of Water Use at Home”. This worldwide ideas competition empowers architects, engineers, designers, and students to create water-efficient homes that inspire change. Prizes totaling $50,000 will be awarded across both Professional and Student categories.
 
THE AWARDS LIST
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Policy Leadership Award:  California Department of General Services (DGS). The award honors a municipality or agency leading the way in advancing green building and sustainability. DGS advances statewide Zero-Net Energy targets for 100% of new facilities and 50% of existing building area; LEED Gold certification; mandates that projects exceed Title 24 by 15%; and is working toward zero carbon emissions, continuing to elevate industry-wide green standards. 

Elected Official Award:  Andy Pease, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. The award recognizes bold leadership in sustainability from the political and public service sector. Former City Council Member, San Luis Obispo, Andy is co-owner of In Balance Green Consulting, which optimizes green building strategies in the Central Coast region, including LEED administration and certification services, energy performance modeling and water conservation strategies. During her eight years on city council, the City of San Luis Obispo achieved milestones in housing construction and affordability, bike and pedestrian-focused infrastructure, new programs for inclusion and belonging and an innovative Climate Action Plan that targets carbon neutrality by 2035.
 
PRODUCT AWARDS:
 
Material Impact Award:  Mad River Mass Timber. The award highlights products that reduce embodied carbon and shift the building materials market. Mad River Mass Timber sources local Humboldt County, CA-timber, and locally produces milled Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT) panels to build lower-carbon, carbon-sequestering workforce and modular housing, helping promote healthy California forest management.
 
Market Transformation Award:  Blade Air Pro Filter. The award celebrates game-changing solutions that accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. Blade Air Pro Filter reframes HVAC filtration as an energy strategy, not maintenance. It reduces fan energy 15–40% without retrofits, accelerating adoption of low-pressure design and influencing how buildings approach decarbonization, performance, and operational sustainability.
 
Ripple Effect Award:  Epic Cleantec’s Recycled Water Beer. This award honors innovation serving as a catalyst for sustainable water management. Amidst Epic Cleantec’s ongoing work to advance onsite water reuse in buildings, their recycled-water beer transforms public perception of water reuse, turning hesitation into acceptance. By normalizing recycled water through everyday experiences, it catalyzes cultural change essential to scaling water solutions.