LEED
What is LEED?
USGBC’s LEED (Leadership m Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Developed by USGBC, LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, matenals and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED is a practical rating tool for green building design and construction that provides immediate and measurable results for building owners and occupants. The newest version of the rating system is LEED 2009, which will be available for projects in March 2009.
LEED FAQ
What does LEED stand for?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
How can I get my company’s products or services LEED certified? USGBC does nol certify, promote, or endorse any products, ัะพัั. points toward a building’s LEED rating.
How can I become LEED certified?People can’t become LEED certified. People can become LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs). Only buildings can become LEED certified.
Where can I find a list of LEED Registered and Certified projects in the area?
There is a searchable database of LEED Registered and LEED Certified projects on the USGBC web site.
LEED 2009 FAQ
Which rating systems will be incorporated into LEED 2009?
LEED 2009 will incorporate New Construction. Core and Shell, Commercial Interiors. Existing Suildings: Operations &Maintenance and Schools.
What notable advancements will be reflected in LEED 2009? Notable advancements include:
- LEED Prerequisite/Credit Alignment and Harmonization
- Predictable Development Cycle
- Transparent Environmental/Human Impact Credit Weighting
- Regionalized on
- LEED Prerequisile/Credlt Alignment and Harmonization – Structure to consolidate, align and update all existing LEED Rating Systems into their “most effective common denominator1′ providing a pool of prerequisites/credits for all LEED Rating Systems. A scrub of the existing Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs) was conducted and necessary precedent-setting and clarifying language has been incorporated into the prerequisites/credits.
- Predictable Development Cycle – LEED will move into a predictable development cycle that will help drive continuous improvements in LEED and allow the market to participate more fully in LEED’s growth and development.
- Transparent Environmental/Human Impact Credit Weighting – LEED has undergone a scientifically grounded re-weighting ot credits, which will reflect more accurately a credit pant impact on the environment and human health (positive or negative).
- Regionalism – Incentives will be provided through LEED Innovation & Design style bonus points that will add value to those credits that are considered most important for defined regions. Project teams may select bonus points from a list of eligible credits driven by chapters, regional councils, and the LEED Steering Committee.
Will there be LEED 2009 Workshops?Yes. LEED 2009 Workshops will be rolled out in March 2009 New LEED AP exams for Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction will be available in August 2009. New online courses and webinars are also being planned to support LEED 2009
What if I register my project under the current LEED system – will I be required to switch to LEED 2009 in January?
Projects registering under the current LEED rating systems will have the option to upgrade to LEED 2009 dunng the transition time when the new system launches with LEED online, or they can continue to use the version of LEED under which they registered.
Will LEED 2009 apply to LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development?
At this time. LEED 2009 is only for commercial building applications and their existing rating systems (LEED for: New Construction, Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, Commercial Intenors, Schools and Core & Shell)
How will LEED 2009 affect LEED for Retail, Healthcare, and Schools?
LEED for Retail and Healthcare will be aligned with LEED 2009 The date is to be determined in 2009. more Information to follow.
How will LEED 2009 affect the LEED AP (Accredited Professional) Exam?
The current version of the LEED AP exam will be available through 2008. Beginning in early 2009, after LEED 2009 launches, exams will be updated to reflect the new changes. The LEED Professional Accreditation exam will continue to keep pace with USGBC’s LEED Rating System. GBCI is working with volunteer subject matter experts and exam development consultants to evaluate how the LEED AP credential will reflect LEED 2009.
In case you missed it: View Greenbuild presentation on LEED 2009 here.
For more information about LEED 2009. visit www usgbc.orqfleed2009
GBCI customer service representatives are available:
Monday through Friday from 900 AM to 5 00 PM Eastern Time at 800-795-1747.
LEED Accreditation Exam – exam@qbci.org
LEED Rating System, project registration, and certification – leedinfo@usgbc.org
LEED Training Workshops - workshop@uspjbc.org
