The United States Green Building Council announced that it will implement changes to the LEED program which is a process that allows contractors to achieve certification for green buildings. The changes are being made following a 30-day online public comment period that ended June 22, and the new version, LEED 2009, is scheduled to be in effect starting January 2009.
A building becomes LEED certified after it is evaluated using a points-based system with points awarded for specific “green” practices in each of five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The points are verified by an independent third party, and a building is then awarded a silver, gold or platinum ranking based on the number of points earned.
Under the new LEED 2009 certification process, available points will be redistributed so that they will more accurately reflect the positive impact being made on the environment by each action. In addition, LEED 2009 will allow for regional bonus credits or points that can be obtained when a building meets requirements that are specific to the region in which it was built.
Under the current system, LEED certifications are available in eight categories including: new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell, retail, schools, health care and homes. The changes in LEED 2009 will strive to consolidate and simplify these categories and help streamline the certification process.
For more information, contact Jen Huber at ABC, huber@abc.org.