In August, USGBC held a comment period for proposed updates to the minimum energy requirements in the LEED for Homes v2008 program. These changes, in response to the significant energy code changes within the residential construction market over the past several years, will ensure that projects certified using the 2008 version of LEED for Homes remain at the forefront as leaders in green building design and construction.
Washington, D.C., (Oct. 25, 2013) – The General Services Administration (GSA) concluded again today that the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED green building rating system can and should be used in government buildings to advance energy efficiency and to save taxpayers’ money. GSA issued its recommendation today based on the findings of the EISA §436(h) Ad-Hoc Review Group on Green Building Certification Systems.
Building green is one of the most important tenets in creating a sustainable future. In less than fifteen years, LEED has grown from a vision among a small group of committed environmentalist to a global force that certifies thousands of green buildings per year. Perhaps one reason for LEED’s rapid growth is that green building is embraced by individuals of all walks of life, and across the political spectrum.
Are you looking for your project certification to be awarded in 2013? As the end of the year approaches, we’ve outlined the deadlines for application submissions for both Standard and Expedited reviews.
The following tables apply to all commercial rating systems (not including LEED Volume). These timelines also assume that no Appeal review is necessary. Appeal reviews typically take 20 business days, and Expedited Appeal reviews are on a 10-business day timeline.
The U.S. Department of Energy is holding this year’s Solar Decathlon in the Orange Country Great Park in Irvine, California, from October 3–13. The Solar Decathlon is a biennial international competition that challenges twenty collegiate and university student-led teams to design and build solar-powered net-zero homes that are affordable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically appealing.
Have a green thumb and a green building project? Then, LEED pilot credit SSpc82: Local Food Production is for you! Whether the project is growing food onsite or supporting an off-site farm, it could be rewarded for the intrinsic value of local food production.
Written by Jason Hartke and Sam Glass
In part, the environmental movement grew out of the great ideas of naturalists who were committed to the goals of nature conservation and habitat protection. Famous documentarian Ken Burns produced an amazing PBS series on the history of our national parks, calling them “America’s Best Idea.” Today, many land conservation groups carry on this mission of protecting America the Beautiful and all of our stunning natural areas and the precious fauna and flora that call it home.
Team Austria’s home ready to compete in the 2013 Solar Decathlon
As you stroll through the verdant green foothills of the Austrian Alps, you’ll be inspired by not only the quaint farm houses and pastures, but also number of solar panels on the south facing barn roofs. Austria has a long tradition of sustainability and is well known in Europe as a dynamic leader in renewable energy and sustainability. It’s therefore no surprise that we jumped at the chance to enter the 2013 Solar Decathlon in California!
Quarterly interpretations and addenda to the LEED 2009 rating systems and reference guides are now available. Use the credit library to access updated rating system language and interpretations.
INTERPRETATIONS
This quarter, we published 13 new LEED Interpretations (#10283-10291, 10293-10296). Highlights include:
Last week in Beijing, China I had the honor of presenting Yum! Brands Inc. with a LEED Gold plaque for their first LEED certified fast food restaurant in the nation’s capital. The restaurant is a local KFC that is impressive both inside and out with several green building strategies that will not only enhance the experience for customers, but also for the delighted staff I had the pleasure to meet.