On March 1st, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will open its latest public comment period for the proposed 2012 LEED update. The comment period closes on March 20. The third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience. The technical changes have been informed by market data, stakeholder-generated ideas, expert engagement, and advances in technology, according to the USGBC. Additional performance-based management features will help projects measure and manage energy and water usage, site and building material selection, and indoor environmental quality.
In addition, LEED credit requirements have been rewritten to better align with documentation already required by the architecture and construction fields. Improvements to submittals, documentation paths, and LEED Online intend to improve LEED usability. Once the comment period process concludes, LEED 2012 will be balloted in June and launch in November. Fore more information, visit usgbc.org/LEED2012.
