USGBC Members Approve LEED 2009

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced at its Greenbuild conference in Boston in November 2008 that LEED 2009, a revision of the LEED Rating System first made available for comment in May 2008, has been approved by its 18,000 member organizations.

The revision is intended to create greater consistency among the several LEED rating systems, reflect a more scientifically grounded weighting of credits—including a stronger focus on energy and climate issues—and accommodate new developments in building technology as well as regional variations (see EBN Vol. 17, No. 6). All LEED rating systems now contain 100 points.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced at its Greenbuild conference in Boston in November 2008 that LEED 2009, a revision of the LEED Rating System first made available for comment in May 2008, has been approved by its 18,000 member organizations.

The revision is intended to create greater consistency among the several LEED rating systems, reflect a more scientifically grounded weighting of credits—including a stronger focus on energy and climate issues—and accommodate new developments in building technology as well as regional variations (see EBN Vol. 17, No. 6). All LEED rating systems now contain 100 points.

USGBC will update LEED 2009 regularly to keep the system up to date with technological and market developments, much like code organizations do with building codes. USGBC has not yet announced when registration under LEED 2009 will begin, but it will likely coincide with the launch of a revamped LEED Online tool, expected in Spring 2009.

– Michael Wilmeth

For more information:

U.S. Green Building Council

Washington, D.C.

800-795-1747

www.usgbc.org/leed2009/