New LEED Rating System under Development

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:37:00 GMT

The next version of the LEED Rating System is under development, with the first Public Comment Period having closed on January 19. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), over 5000 comments were received from LEED stakeholders. Revisions to the rating system language will be made by staff and LEED committees based on these comments. The second Public Comment Period is expected to begin in July 2011.

Design professionals should take the time to participate and contribute to the development of codes and regulations that affect the services they provide. We think it is important that all LEED accredited professionals should, at the very least, monitor the proposed updates to the system. USGBC expects that the next version of the LEED Rating System will be released in November 2012.

In addition, Schinnerer offers the following two Advisories on sustainability (limited to policyholder use only):

ASHRAE Publishes 189.1: A Code-Enforceable Standard for Green Buildings

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Working together, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) have published ASHRAE Standard 189.1, The Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. It covers site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials, and resources. ASHRAE Standard 189.1 also covers the building’s construction and plans for operation.

It is important to note that ASHRAE Standard 189.1 is not a design guide and it’s not a rating system. It is written using code language and, if adopted by a jurisdiction, will establish a standard that can be enforced by officials.

For more information you can read ASHRAE’s press release announcing publication of 189.1, or go to ASHRAE’s publications page for a full description of 189.1.

Schinnerer's RM Blog - usgbc tag

New LEED Rating System under Development

ASHRAE Publishes 189.1: A Code-Enforceable Standard for Green Buildings