Taking the "LEED" in Green Construction

Over the past few years, the “green” phenomenon has really taken off, resonating throughout society. That’s a good thing. A way of life that all generations can experiment with, the green mentality has rooted itself in all facets of life, ranging from more energy-efficient light bulbs to hybrid automobiles. The movement is showing itself in the construction industry, and the U.S. Green Building Council is leading the way in promoting environmentally responsible construction sites with its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Building Rating System.

LEED is the benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. It gives building owners and operators the tools to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance, promoting a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: Sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.