LEED 2009, also known as LEED v3, can be used to register projects until Oct. 31, 2016, about a year and four months later than planned, according to a statement from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The original date—June 15, 2015—was extended to give the green building market additional time to prepare for LEED v4, which was released in fall 2013. More than 60 percent of attendees surveyed at last weeks' Greenbuild conference said they are "not ready" or "unsure" if they are ready to pursue LEED v4.
The USGBC noted that LEED v4 is more rigorous and contains a multitude of updates from the previous version.
“LEED v4 wasn’t designed to be easy. It is the next generation of green building, and we are confident the market will meet us there as they have in years past,” said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC CEO, in a statement.
The American Wood Council was disappointed in the decision. "We appreciate the effort by USGBC and LEED users to move quickly to LEEDv4, but are disappointed by the delay in phasing out LEED 2009. By USGBC’s own words, LEEDv4 is more rigorous and includes important updates," said a statement released by the AWC. "LEEDv4 incorporates a more science-based approach to green building that, for the first time, recognized the contribution of wood products to positive environmental performance."
