LEED 2009 is an action hero — and open for public comment

The U.S. Green Building Council has announced that LEED 2009 is open for a second public comment period, from now until September 2, 2008.

LEED 2009, according to USGBC's update, is "a new version of the rating system that delivers against key environmental and human health impacts" (emphasis added). Forgive my tendency for flip comments about LEED that past readers have called out, but doesn't it sound like an action hero, a sort-of take-no-prisoners version of Captain Planet for the built environment, in that sentence? I'm pretty sure that use of the verb "deliver" without an immediate object, such as "deliver mail," "deliver actual energy data," etc., is reserved for action heroes in the mold of Stephen Seagal. Deliver against kind of drives it home.

If we're going to be seeing more action from LEED 2009, I think that's a good sign. Here are some highlights of the revised LEED 2009 that USGBC noted in its announcement:

Sustainable Sites

• Credit 2: Development Density & Community Connectivity – If the project is mixed use, it may be considered one of the ten basic services that are required to be located within ½ mile, as long as the service is open to the public.
• Credit 4.3: Alternative Transportation: Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles – The language that said one low-emitting/fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided per 8 people should have said 267 occupants.

Water Efficiency

• Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50% – Groundwater language was moved from the Potential Technologies & Strategies to the Requirements section.

• Prerequisite 2 & Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance – Additional ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides are now included under the prescriptive path for compliance. Additional point thresholds have been added in EAc1.
• Credit 5: Measurement & Verification (M&V) – Corrective action is now required if the results of the M&V plan indicate that energy savings are not being achieved.

• Prerequisite 1: Storage & Collection of Recyclables – The language requiring the collection and storage of plant-based landscaping debris has been removed because it did not match the intent of the credit, which covers building occupant waste.
• Credit 7: Certified Wood – How LEED addresses the use of wood is in a separate public comment period that launched on Friday, August 8, and closes on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 5 PM PST. Learn more.

• Prerequisite 2: Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control – The requirement that smoking be prohibited within 25 feet of an entrance has been clarified so that it applies only to private property.
• Credit 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials: Flooring Systems – Many people commented that their projects' bare floors were more in line with the intent of this credit. The language that restricted this credit only to projects in which carpet is installed was removed as a first step toward a larger change of its intent.
• Credit 5: Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control – Permanent entryway systems that are directly connected to the outdoors are now required to be at least ten feet long instead of only six.

Innovation & Design Process

• Credit 1-1.5: Innovation in Design – While there are now a total of five possible points in this category, projects may now earn a maximum of three Exemplary Performance Credits for going beyond the requirements of other credits.

Public comments can be offered here.

A look at LEED 2009 in EBN is here.