LEED goes 3.0 — and they ain't joking 'round
You are Here
Another interesting component is the regionalization of credits. Through the org’s chapters and affiliates, regionally significant environmental issues were identified and credits were assigned to address the unique concern for the geographic location. So for example, in Florida you can get a point for decreased reliance on insufficient municipal wastewater plants and/or utilization of abundant local sunshine while in Michigan points are available for reducing light trespass into neighboring natural habitats or improving the quality of stormwater into the Great Lakes. Each state has a list of options.
Graphic from USGBC
The Time is NOW
Also important to note is the LEED v3.0 timeline. If you’re in any building profession, you’ve probably had lots of colleagues and friends racing to take the LEED-AP exam before it changes to the new version. The same is true for the rating system for projects. June 27 is the first date that all new projects will be required to register for LEED 2009. Until then, you can still be part of the easier v2.2. The last day of free migration into LEED 2009 is Dec. 31.
Quit Your Whining
There’s sure to be lots of grumbling about the new rating system. Architects and engineers are notoriously critical folks. But I think the changes are for the better – green building, as a widely accepted approach to architecture, is still new…and for all the problems the USGBC and LEED may have, these types of efforts are essential for growing the field, and help guide the rating system to revise and retool itself. And it always seems that the ones making the most noise about how this or that isn’t good enough are the same people that aren’t doing that much in the first place. So, in the words of Chelsea Handler, USGBC – you have my blessing ;)
More on LEED and Green Building
How Stuff Works Does Green Building
Green Building Breakthrough: LEED Certification on an Everyday Budget
LEED Platinum is Bustin' Out All Over
There Goes the Neighborhood
