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This Month: The Next Version of LEED Raises the Bar on Green Building Design and Construction
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Feature Article
LEED Revision Tightens Energy-Efficiency Standards With New Credits, Categories
Author: Amanda Peterka
Source: New York Times
Date Written: 11/12/2010
The first of two public comment sessions opened this week on changes proposed for the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.
The update to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating system will build upon a 2009 revision. The proposed changes, put together by USGBC's technical advisory committees, include three new credit categories and a variety of reworked and new credits and prerequisites. They touch each of the rating system's sections, including building design and construction, operations and maintenance, and LEED for homes.
The draft revision also includes a "pilot credit library" for the first time, or a collection of credits that are being tested for possible inclusion in the final version of the revision, due out in 2012.
"I'm really excited to see what's in store for the future of LEED," said Tristan Roberts, editor of BuildingGreen.com, a publication that tracks green building information for professionals and policymakers.
One of the biggest changes is a new performance credit category, addressing what has been one of the more controversial issues surrounding LEED. The system was set up in the late 1990s for the design and construction of buildings and not the building's actual performance.
"A lot of the LEED points were based on the design of the building rather than the actual operating performance of the building," leading to "promises of efficiency that weren't delivered," said Clinton Andrews, a professor of planning and public policy at Rutgers University in New Jersey and part of the university's Center for Green Building.
In 2009, when LEED was last revised, it required mandatory disclosure of energy use but did not include it in a separate section. In the revision's performance section, a newly constructed building can gain credit by installing an advanced energy metering system and committing to share energy usage data with USGBC for at least five years from the date of occupancy.
"You get the LEED plaque when the project is done, but you're getting it with the understanding that you're committing to these things," Roberts said.
Putting these types of credits in their own category highlights their importance, said Brendan Owens, vice president of LEED technical development at USGBC. LEED would collect and report this data anonymously through its Building Performance Partnership.
Another significant change is the addition of an "integrated process" category. An integrated approach means that rather than having an architect give drawings to an engineer who then passes the plan to a contractor, "everyone's sitting together and figuring things out and looking for opportunities to improve the performance of the building," Roberts said.
The LEED update outlines a specific set of requirements for the process by which a building is built, requiring a certain number of team meetings and stakeholder input events.
The third new section in LEED, called "location and transportation," contains credits that had previously been elsewhere but puts new emphasis on the fact that location plays a role in determining a building's efficiency.
"It looks like it's going to be a good document," said Mary Ann Lazarus, director of sustainable design at HOK Group Inc., a global design firm. "[It's] moving us along the road a bit and introducing some things that we have done and tried to do where we can but aren't necessarily part of every LEED project. But now they're going to be."
Thinking about chemicals, climate
Public comment on the draft will be open until Dec. 31, longer than the typical USGBC comment period. This was done intentionally, Owens said.
"One of the things we've heard in the past, a fair and unfair criticism but something we needed to address, the public comment that has been run on LEED in the past has been sort of pro forma," Owens said, encouraging people to comment.
The organization will also be getting feedback from projects that have opted to try test credits, which include for the first time a "chemical avoidance in building materials" credit, something that has been pushed for by healthy building interest groups. The pilot credit "acknowledges and supports contemporary and accepted knowledge about specific chemicals of concern that should be avoided." Chemicals to be avoided are phthalates and flame retardants.
According to Owens, more than 200 projects intend to participate in at least one of the 41 pilot credits.
The update on a whole includes stricter requirements for credits -- for example, a credit that required a building have a view has been changed to require a quality outside view, or one of vegetation, animals, water or people. The entire rating system is still expected to be based out of 100 points.
Environmentalist Denis Hayes, CEO of the Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation, said that USGBC could go further.
Hayes said his organization is designing a building to go beyond the highest level in LEED. He said that sooner or later, the United States is going to put a price on carbon, but there are "today only a dozen buildings that have been constructed that will be attractive in a new energy era."
"As USGBC modifies any of its standards, the objective I think in every case ought to be to make them a little bit tougher and a little bit more environmentally rigorous," he said.
This article was published by the New York Times on November 11, 2010 and can be accessed at http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/11/11/11greenwire-leed-revision-tightens-energy-efficiency-stand-36629.html
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Calendar at a Glance
December
8: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Holiday Gala
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, please log-in to usgbc-in.org.
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USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
Northeast Branch Program:
2010 Holiday Gala
Wednesday, December 8th
 Please join the USGBC-IN Northeast Branch for their 2010 Holiday Gala.
Event information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Location: Columbia Street
Back Fireplace Room
135 West Columbia St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Individual Chapter Members - FREE
Non-Members - $10 (Pre-Pay online)
Appetizers and Cash Bar Available
Register: http://usgbcin20101208ne.eventbrite.com/
Notes: Register by Wednesday December 1st,
to receive one FREE drink ticket.
USGBC Indiana 2010 Annual Report
Now Available
 USGBC Indiana has released it''s Annual
Report for 2010. A PDF version of the report
is available for free download through USGBC Indiana's website.
The Annual Report profiles the Indiana
Chapter and features various articles
detailing green building successes around
Indiana and beyond.
In addition, the Annual Report outlines all
of the LEED certified projects in Indiana.
Click here to access the USGBC-IN 2010
Annual Report.
USGBC Indiana Chapter
Election Results Announced
 The ballots for the 2011 USGBC Indiana elections have been tallied.
Newly elected Board of Directors are:
Heather Schafer
Mac Williams
Terry Thornsbury
The 2011 Branch Chairs are as follows:
Bill Barnard - North Central
Dick Kuhn - Southwest
Jeremy Hatfield - Northeast Branch
Stewart Whitcomb - Central Branch
Ted Mendoza - South Central
 Save the Date:
2011 Indiana Building Green Symposium
May 5 - 6, 2011
SAVE THE DATE - The 2011 Indiana Green Building Symposium (IBGS) will be held on Thursday, May 5th, and Friday, May 6th, 2011. More details as they become available.
USGBC Indiana Chapter on Flickr
 USGBC-IN has established a freely accessible
photostream on flickr. Click here to find out more.
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From the Chair
Fresh from Greenbuild and an immersion in sustainable education, our Chapter just finished our annual membership Gala. In December every year we all pause to look back and USGBC Indiana is no different. If you wonder what the chapter has accomplished, you should look at our annual report. 2010 was a great year, but as it draws to a close we are really looking forward to 2011. In 2011, we look forward to furthering our membership outreach efforts and expanding the involvement through each of our Indiana branches. Right now, the chapter and branches need key volunteers willing to move forward committees such as education, membership and advocacy. Please reach out to me lleising@structurepoint.com if you would like to be more involved in these areas. I am confident that our board leadership is in great hands for 2011. John O'Brien, the 2011 Indiana Chapter Chair, will lead a solid board with strong new leadership. Let us all chip in to provide the support needed to move USGBC into a stronger future Happy Holidays to all and to all a great year! Luke Leising 2010 USGBC Indiana Chair
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Join USGBC-IN Today!
Join the Indiana Chapter of USGBC today to enjoy the many benefits of membership that help your organization stay competitive, grow your business, and make the best contacts in the green building industry.
Indiana Chapter members receive the following benefits:
- Member-only discounts and networking events - local event fees are discounted for chapter members. Monthly meetings are free!
- Get a fantastic array of green building tools and educational resources.
- Be noticed - membership sets your organization apart.
- Build relationships in the local construction industry.
- Meet, learn and network with other building professionals who share the same passion for green building.
- Benefit from company and individual names being listed in one of the largest directories of green building practitioners and supporters via the USGBC National website and our local chapter homepage.
- Get involved - help build much-needed awareness for green building in Indiana.
- Be recognized as a leader in supporting a better built environment.
- Shape and proactively promote local green initiatives through chapter and committee involvement.
- Vote in local chapter business/issues.
Sign up today and receive a one-year membership:
$65 for regular membership, $50 for national members, $25 for students.
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
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Indiana Green Building Events
Indianapolis Sustainability Awards Applications
Due Friday, February 4th
 After more than 70 applicants to the
inaugural Indianapolis Sustainability
Awards, Mayor Greg Ballard is pleased
to announce the second annual
Indianapolis Sustainability Awards
The Indianapolis Sustainability Awards are designed to inspire innovation, showcase impact, reward leadership and promote education around the principles of sustainability. Five awards will be given to honor excellence in each of the following categories:
Any organization or individual is encouraged to apply; no project is too small.
The application form and summary of qualifications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2011 to SustainIndy@indy.gov. Include "Award Application" in the e-mail subject line.
Projects must have been completed in Marion County between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2010.
Read more...
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Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Ball State University Recognized for Climate Leadership
Author: Stephen Muzzy Source: Second Nature Date Written: 10/11/2010
 Ball State University (BSU) receives Second Nature's 1st Annual Climate Leadership Award for Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership. Award recipients were recognized at the 4th Annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Summit in Denver, CO on October 12th Ball State University President, Dr. Jo Ann Gora, is one of the twelve founding members of the ACUPCC Leadership Circle. BSU is in the midst of installing a geothermal-based district system. When complete, it will eliminate the annual burning of 36,000 tons of coal, reducing yearly CO2e emissions by 85,000 tons and saving $2 million in net fuel costs per year.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful offers phone book recycling
Author: Gretchen Becker Source: Green.Indy.com (Indianapolis Star)
Date Written: 11/10/2010
In an effort to keep old phone books out of landfills, Indianapolis area business and a nonprofit have teamed to collect books at 18 locations in the Indianapolis area. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful partnered with AT&T and Republic Services to provide recycling collection bins only for phone books through Dec. 3.
Read more...
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Add Your LEED Projects to USGBC-IN.org
Submit Your LEED Certified Projects
USGBC Indiana is in the process of adding in-state LEED certified projects to the website's "Green Projects" showcase. If
you would like to submit your LEED certified
project, please complete the Green Project Profile
form and submit entries to info@usgbc-in.org.
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National Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Update on the Evolution of LEED Registration and Certification Agreements
Author: GBCI Staff
Source: GBCI
Date Written: 11/15/2010
This year, USGBC and GBCI have worked to revise LEED registration and certification agreements so that they provide an appropriate level of legal guidance for the leadership organizations who pursue the benefits that accompany LEED certification. As we've had questions arise, we've worked with a number of organizations to make adjustments to the agreements that met their specific needs, and we will continue to do so. Even as we've aggregated these individual adjustments into our agreements, we've also proactively sought the opinion of a wide range of legal counsel from our architectural member firms, from GSA, and from others who practice construction law, many of whom are part of our informal legal working group. They have recommended a number of other thoughtful changes as well. We're working to include these revisions in final agreements that will be ready by the end of the year. We've kept the dialog going during this process through our legal working group, but thought others might be interested in the revisions that have been underway.
Read more...
LEED-Certified Space Passes One Billion Square Feet
Author: Environmental Building News
Source: BuildingGreen.com
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that, as of November 2010, the footprint of LEED-certified commercial space has surpassed one billion square feet. (That's 100 million square feet of space for each of the 10 years of LEED's existence.)
According to USGBC, another six billion square feet of projects around the world are registered and working toward certification. "This traction demonstrates the transformation of the way we design, build, and operate buildings," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO, and founding chair of USGBC.
Read more...
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From the Editor
USGBC Announces "LEED Automation"
Two weeks ago at Greenbuild, USGBC made a very interesting announcement regarding an upcoming development to LEED Online. In collaboration with various leading technology companies, USGBC has developed a new program aimed at streamlining and creating capacity for the LEED building certification process.
The program, referred to as "LEED Automation," was explained as being similar to an app in the way it will serve project teams. According to USGBC, by integrating third-party applications with LEED Online, LEED Automation will serve three key functions:
- "Provide automation of various LEED documentation processes"
- "Deliver customers a unified view of their LEED projects"
- "Standardize LEED content and distribute it consistently across multiple technology platforms"
Never before has third-party software applications been permitted to access and interact with LEED Online. Thus, LEED Automation will mark a radical departure from how project teams have used LEED Online in the past.
Joel McKellar at Real Life LEED has profiled several projects that were used as case studies at the LEED Automation unveiling at Greenbuild. I highly recommend reading his blog post on the matter.
More details will be released as the program is further developed, but LEED Automation is potentially a major step toward integrating LEED Online documentation with building information modeling (BIM) and various energy modeling platforms.
What does this mean to LEED project teams? Among other advantages, LEED Automation could make certain types of LEED documentation much more streamlined and efficient. Imagine the reduced soft costs for LEED documentation if teams could simply upload a BIM model straight to LEED Online via a software tool, which in turn read and automatically verified the model's geographic location and/or simulation results in lieu of traditional LEED documentation "paperwork." Such a tool could be immensely helpful for LEED project teams.
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
Special note: After December 31st, my tenure as USGBC-IN Communication Chair will expire. After December, I will no longer be overseeing the Indiana Chapter's media - including the newsletter. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as the Chapter's Communications Chair for two exciting years!
I will still be heavily involved with USGBC Indiana, but in a different capacity. Beginning January 1st, please direct all inquiries regarding USGBC Indiana Chapter media to our 2011 Communications Chair, Connie Torres, at setacia@yahoo.com
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OUR SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
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USGBC-IN is supported with a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development
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Partner Organization
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The Indiana Chapter of USGBC invites you to support the activities of the chapter by becoming a sponsor. As interest in green building gains momentum in Indiana, there has never been a better time to become involved with and support the Chapter.
Through communications, educational programs, networking events, and advocacy work, we hope to educate and create awareness of green and sustainable building strategies. Please consider becoming an annual or program sponsor and joining our effort for a better built environment.
There are several levels of sponsorships that are available. To receive a Sponsorship Registration Form, please contact Elizabeth C. Ellis, Executive Director.
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USGBC Indiana is now accepting individual donations. The Indiana Chapter is a non-profit organization solely funded by its membership through donations and sponsorships. If you would like to contribute to the organization, you can make a secure payment using PayPal. Individuals donating $50 or more will be recognized through USGBC-IN.org.
Click here to make a donation.
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GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
Let us know how we can improve the USGBC-IN newsletter. Contact Daniel Overbey, Communications Committee Chair.
Special note: After December 31st, Daniel Overbey's tenure as USGBC-IN Communication Chair will expire. After December, Daniel will no longer be overseeing the Indiana Chapter's media - including the newsletter.
Please direct all inquiries regarding USGBC Indiana Chapter media to the 2011 Communications Chair,Connie Torres, at setacia@yahoo.com
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