Search
 

Revised LEED To Simplify, Regionalize Certification

The upcoming version of LEED will simplify an increasingly complicated system to make certification more region-specific and customized.

By Debra Hazel | Updated on June 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC-The upcoming version of LEED will simplify an increasingly complicated system while providing opportunities to make certification more region-specific and customized, the United States Green Building Council said in a web seminar given yesterday. The council is now seeking public comments on LEED 2009, or LEED version 3, which will change the current qualification system–which ranges from a minimum of 26 points for certification to 69 points for Platinum status–to a 100-point system, which will integrate life-cycle assessments and various sector-oriented credits into one overall system. The result should make the certification process faster.<"As we've been improving LEED, we've been making it more complex," said Scott Horst, chairman of the LEED Steering Committee. "This is about a simplification of the system.” In addition, 10 bonus points have been allotted to reward credits that are particularly important regionally–for example, an item that saves water could receive bonus credit in Phoenix that it would not merit in the Northeast, Horst said.

“This is a start to LEED being not just ‘one size fits all,’” while eliminating the potential of hundreds of possible standards, Horst said. Under the new system, projects earning 40 to 49 points would be certified. Projects earning 50 to 59 points would achieve silver status. Projects with 60 to 79 credits would achieve Gold status, with 80 points and above earning Platinum status.

The updated system now being considered also weights various categories differently, with energy and atmospheric options, transportation and water issues gaining more prominence as concerns about ozone depletion–now slowly rectifying itself–subside. It applies to all sectors except homes and neighborhood development, which currently are excluded from this revision, Horst said.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.