This issue of Sustainable Facility contains just about everything you ever wanted to know about LEED and more. By now, most of you have some experience or knowledge about LEED: the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, as well as its related programs, projects, professionals and processes.

What’s so special about LEED? Not only has this rating system started the discussion about sustainable buildings on an international level across all disciplines, but it is also continuing to significantly transform the built environment. According to LEED’s creator, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising more than 4.5 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. The USGBC has more than 20,000 member companies and organizations. There are now more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals to date.
We know that the environment, the U.S. economy and many of your tenants are being hit hard right now. Consider that our buildings are responsible for a significant amount of energy and water consumption and CO2 emissions, and that the building industry isn’t thriving in most sectors. But the USGBC and LEED programs are growing. Greener buildings have the potential to generate a healthier environment, save money and even generate green jobs; LEED is demonstrating that it is not only possible but also probable to grow by implementing green business practices.

Inside SF

Kicking things off in this issue’s annual LEED Guide (starting on page 14), Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chairman of the USGBC, offers an enlightening letter: “We recognize that how we measure and rate building performance is fundamental to finding solutions to climate change and energy dependence, water conservation and quality, and waste management…”

If you don’t know the term EBOM, be sure to read this month’s column from Sustainable Facility contributor Tommy Linstroth “Was that an EBOM?” on page 30. Tommy reminds us that you can achieve high levels of LEED certification through sound operational policies.

Also check out Michael Berning’s regular column, “The Building Owner’s and Operator’s Sustainability Solution: LEED-EB: O&M” for need-to-now information about LEED Version 3. Michael says that “LEED Version 3 is the next step toward improving the process to move your facility to be energy efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible. Getting on board now to achieve these measurable and sustainable attributes for your facility makes sense now more than ever!”

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in print, visit www.SustainableFacility.com for more articles from USGBC staff, LEED case studies and project profiles.


Until next time,
Michelle