The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently opened the fifth public comment period for its next version of the LEED building program, dubbed LEED v4. The comment period, which will close on Dec. 10, enables the building community to view the most recent draft of the rating systems and comment on changes.
During the summer, the drafting of LEED v4 hit two obstacles. First, the USGBC announced in June it would delay ratifying the next-generation version of LEED until 2013 due to stop the federal government from adopting LEED v4 after it is ratified. The USGBC said it would keep LEED 2009 available until LEED v4 is ratified.
In a release, the USGBC said it will "push the envelope" on energy efficiency with LEED v4, "allocating nearly 20 percent of all points to optimizing energy performance over the stringent ASHRAE 90.1-2010, which would do more to help curb CO2 emissions than any LEED rating system in its 12 year history." USGBC said it is attempting to bring LEED ratings to more market sectors, including data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality, mid-rise residential, and existing schools and retail centers, all in an effort to make LEED "the common language for sustainability around the globe."
To view drafts of LEED v4 and leave comments, go here.
