Content about Sustainable building

LEED v4, the proposed update to the nation’s most prevalent green building program, has been under intense pressure to change its current wood certification rating system, which only recognizes one set of standards, those of the Forest Stewardship Council. But the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which oversees the LEED program and its current revision process, is now under fire for another part of the LEED update that has nothing to do with wood.

Saying it needs to address concerns raised by members, core LEED users and stakeholders, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced June 4 that it will delay balloting on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013. (One caveat: The possibility also exists that the balloting could take place earlier in 2013 if USGBC members and the market indicate readiness for ballot, the announcement said.) Because of this date change, LEED 2012 is being renamed LEED v4.

In addition to the ballot date change, other actions include:

A new program by the U.S. Green Building Council may multiply the number of LEED-certified retail outlets, restaurants and hotels by making it easier for developers to get their projects pre-certified.

Indianapolis-based Eco-Roofs, a producer of environmentally friendly roof systems, has completed a 1,300-sq.-ft. green roof installation atop the four-story, 67-year-old College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Building on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.

This is the first green roof undertaking for the University and was installed entirely by an all-volunteer crew of students, faculty and university staff, led by Eco-Roofs' accredited Green Roof Professional and project coordinator Pat Maloney.

SFI Inc., the non-profit organization that oversees the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program, has issued a statement criticizing the third and latest draft of LEED 2012 for only issuing LEED points or credits for certified wood that is “FSC or better.”

SFI maintains that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which administers the LEED program, continues to put up artificial barriers, shutting out 75% of North America’s forests that are certified by programs other than the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Using a per-capita basis, the District of Columbia, Colorado and Illinois lead the nation in LEED-certified buildings, according to a report released by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The 2011 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings was based on the U.S. 2010 census information.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is promoting its Green Glue Noiseproofing System as a tool to prevent noise issues throughout the building cycle.

The company said the ability to specify the LEED-certified Green Glue Noiseproofing System at the start can prevent noise issues later in the project.

Applegate Insulation, a Webberville, Mich.-based company, has recently gained licensure to market both Applegate loose-fill and Applegate stabilized cellulose in California. The cellulose insulation supplier was actively marketed on the West Coast in the 1980s and ’90s. A recent acquisition in Colorado brought the company back into the California market, making the product available nationwide.

An evaluation of the Green Glue Noiseproofing System found, among other things, that the system is indeed green.

Saint-Gobain recently commissioned Sustainable Solutions Corporation to undertake an evaluation of its Green Glue Noiseproofing System to understand how Green Glue could contribute to earning points in U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system.

Among the findings:

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has honored KB Home’s Primera Terra community with a 2011 LEED for Homes award. The LEED Platinum project, one of the largest in California, was recognized as the best in the Multi-Family category.

Siemens Industry, in collaboration with the Green Seal organization, has published a guide for public housing owners and operators to help them reduce the use of energy, water and toxic chemicals. Called "Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities," the publication is now available free online by clicking here. 

The U.S. District Court in New York City has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Green Building Council that accused it of false advertising in connection to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.