From the Editor
It's been a long time coming, but the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has finally announced a firm release date for its new LEED 2009 rating system. April 27 is the day.

Since at least last summer, facility executives probably have heard rumblings about the newest and most extensive update to LEED. And now, it's almost here. LEED 2009 is only one part of a three-part initiative USGBC is calling LEED Version 3. The other two parts include a streamlined certification process and LEED Online Version 3. Check out USGBC's new LEED v3 Web site for more detailed information.   

Regarding LEED 2009 itself, there are some major changes with which facility executives need to be familiar.  LEED 2009 will consist of three project-specific rating systems and project teams choose the most applicable system. The three rating systems are: Green Building Design and Construction, Green Interior Design and Construction, and Green Building Operations and Maintenance. Project teams will go to the LEED Online site, enter details about their projects, and the system will spit out a suite of credits specific to the type of project. For example, if you're building a spec office building, your credits will look remarkably similar to the old LEED for Core and Shell. If you're building a school, your credits will be a spitting image of LEED for Schools. And if you're working on green operations in any type of facility, your credits will be tailored to your type of building, but still resemble the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

In addition to some much-need updates and re-weighting of credits — more stringent energy efficient requirements, for one — LEED 2009 includes regional credits emphasizing sustainable strategies for particular parts of the country (water efficiency in Arizona, for example).  

If project teams currently are registered under existing versions of LEED, they will have the options of upgrading to LEED 2009, but switching versions of LEED is not mandatory.  

Have you looked at the new versions of LEED at all? I’d be very interested to hear your take!  

Cheers,

Greg Zimmerman, editor
 

Green Strategies
What is This Thing Called LEED?
New to LEED? This article provides beginners with an understanding of the basic structure of LEED and how it works.  

Here Comes LEED 2009
This USGBC-authored piece provides the basics for LEED 2009.

In the News
LEED 2009 Release Date Announced 
Project teams can register under the LEED 2009 rating system starting on April 27, USGBC announded. This condensed news story also offers information about the new process for the LEED AP credentialing process.

Green Toolkit
LEEDv3's Home Page
This site provides all the information you need to start planning your LEED 2009 projects.

Green Pulse
Are you looking forward to working on a LEED 2009 project?

- Yes, I can't wait!
- I'm lukewarm – I may let others be the guinea pigs.
- No, I will avoid LEED 2009 altogether.   

Click here to answer and view results.

GreenTech Conference & Exposition

LEED-EB Update