In response to concerns raised by members, core LEED users and stakeholders, and in an effort to provide the marketplace a view of the full LEED program experience prior to ballot, the U.S. Green Building Council will delay ballot on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013 (or potentially earlier in 2013 if USGBC members and the market indicate readiness for ballot). Because of this date change, LEED 2012 is being renamed LEED v4. “LEED pushes the envelope to bring transformation to the market – that’s what we do,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president, LEED. “We remain committed to that, … Read more

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — The Florida House and Senate recently unanimously passed the uniform crane safety legislation bill (HB 521) backed by Florida’s largest construction industry trade association, Associated Builders and Contractors. The bill, which is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature, ensures that a strong, uniform and statewide standard is in place. “After a tireless five-year fight for construction worker safety, the passing of this bill will help make our worksites safer,” said Peter Dyga, President & CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter, reinforcing the group’s position that individual county and municipal standards … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Green Building Council announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program will open Mar. 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close Mar. 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process. “LEED sits at the core of the green building movement, and is critical in realizing our collective mission,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “LEED’s strength comes from its continuous evolution. This continuous improvement is the outcome of thousands of technical volunteers working to develop the program and the … Read more

ATLANTA, Ga.— Changes to help make buildings and systems more sustainable are part of the newly published version of the high-performance green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2011, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, provides a green-building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate high-performance buildings. It covers key topic areas of site sustainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building's impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. When first introduced in 2009, the standard was the … Read more