LEED 2009 passes member ballot 

LEED 2009 passed member ballot and will be introduced in 2009. The update symbolizes the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff November 21, 2008

LEED 2009 passed member ballot and will be introduced in 2009. The update symbolizes the next major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings. The update includes major technical advancements, which focus on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental and human health outcomes.

LEED 2009 incorporates regional credits, extra points that have been identified as priorities within a project’s environmental zone. LEED re-grounded the weight of certain credits and changed allocation of points among LEED credits to reflect climate change and energy efficiency. This change is important because it will increase the importance of green buildings as means of contributing positive solutions toward energy independence and climate change mitigation.

LEED 2009 represents eight years of market and user feedback in the form of precedent-setting Credit Interpretation Rulings. LEED 2009’s credit alignment structure and the pilot process for individual credits, which allows major new technical developments to be flexibly trialed, evaluated, and incorporated into LEED, will reset the bar for the certification of high-performance green buildings.

“The conclusion of the balloting process marks the culmination of tireless work done by representatives from all corners of the building industry. We have the deepest gratitude for our volunteer leaders, and for their bold steps towards resetting the bar for green building leadership and challenges the industry to move faster and reach further”, said Brendan Owens, Vice President, LEED Technical Development, USGBC.

The first public comment period for LEED 2009 opened in May 2008, followed by a second in late August. The USGBC received close 7,000 comments from members and stakeholders at the conclusion of the second public comment period. The final step in the process included a ballot for pass/fail vote among USGBC’s 18,000 member organizations. LEED 2009 successfully passed the member ballot on Nov. 14. Detailed information about specific technical changes can be found on the USGBC website