Is it true a building can use more energy than a conventional building and still be certified as Green?

Yes. A building with code minimum HVAC and lighting systems can gain points for features such as preferred parking for hybrid cars, access to public transportation, bicycle racks, waterless urinals, drought tolerant plants, vegetated roofs, cork floors, bamboo wall coverings, FSC certified wood and use of locally produced materials and still be certified as Green, all the while consuming more energy than a comparable building with moderately enhanced envelope, HVAC and lighting systems. Don’t misunderstand, there are substantial benefits to the features described above, they just don’t always hold up to C/B analysis the way high performance upgrades can.