Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
The U.S. Green Building Council develops and administers the LEED rating system and rates and certifies buildings. There are different LEED rating scales for homes, commercial buildings, schools and more.
LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. The LEED plaque is recognized nationwide as proof that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable, and a healthy place to live and work.
Some LEED-certified buildings are the California EPA Headquarters Building in Sacramento, Calif.; Center for Health and Healing, Portland, Ore.; Hearst Tower in New York City.
Sources:
-- “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” U.S. Green Building Council Web Site. Accessed Aug. 9, 2007: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
-- “Case Studies,” Natural Resources Defense Council Web site. Accessed Aug. 9, 2007. http://www.nrdc.org/buildinggreen/casestudies/default.asp
-- “Hearst Tower,” Hearst Corporation Web site. Accessed Aug. 9, 2007. http://www.hearst.com/tower/
