LEED Certification

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) represents excellence in green building design, construction, renovation, and operations and maintenance. This continuously-evolving standard provides a concise framework to measure sustainability in all commercial building types – office, retail, schools or healthcare – as well as tenant improvements and significant retrofits. Two new additions, LEED for Homes and LEED for Neighborhood Development, extend the rating system into communities. On April 27, 2009, USGBC launched LEED Version 3 to incorporate the latest technical advancements in building science while prioritizing energy efficiency and CO2 emission reductions.

LEED Ratings

LEED addresses performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED 2009 (v3) awards 100 possible base points, with credits weighted to reflect potential environmental impacts. The newest version includes additional points for “Innovation in Design” and “Regional Priorities”.

The independent Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) administers project registration and certification to assure that LEED buildings are constructed as intended. GBCI certifies buildings on four levels:

Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80 points and above

LEED Rating Systems

The LEED 2012 will be balloted June 1-30, 2012, and is expected to be released in November. For more information on LEED 2012, click here.

In Search of LEED

The Central Plains chapter boasts a growing number of LEED-certified buildings: newly constructed, renovated, historic, high-performance, interiors, core and shell, landscapes, and more. The region is also the scene of great innovation, featuring a number of LEED schools, homes and neighborhoods currently in development.

To learn more about LEED Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified buildings in our region, check out Central Plains LEED profiles. Scan the LEED Project Directory for a complete list of certified and registered projects nationally. Or see selected national LEED profiles.

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