US Green Building Council seeking input on LEED standards

The US Green Building Council has first public comment session on LEED standards, second session in July.

By Source: Web Host Industry Review January 12, 2011

The US Green Building Council is currently seeking feedback from the public to help improve on its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. The first public comment session began November 8 and goes through January 14. The session invites the public to submit their comments about LEED standards, including the rating system groups for Building Design & Construction, Interior Design & Construction and Buildings Operations & Maintenance, LEED for Neighborhood Development and LEED for Homes.

The material includes proposed standards for data centers, warehouse and distribution centers and hospitality. It also includes rating systems for schools, retail and healthcare facilities that were adopted in LEED 2009. The LEED green building rating and assessment systems are constantly being developed and improved on.

Only members of the USGBC vote on whether to implement any changes to the LEED standards, however, the group invites public input to help develop the final draft that goes to ballot.

According to the guidelines for submitting comments listed on the US Green Building Council website, comments are only accepted via the online comment form, each respondent may submit only one set of comments on any individual credit, comments may not be edited once submitted, and representatives of USGBC member and non-member organizations are encouraged to submit comments collectively. Those individuals who are interested in submitting their comments regarding the LEED standard go to the USGBC website.

The organization has set a second public comment period for July 1 to run through August 15. The balloting period for changes will likely take place from August 1 through 31 in 2012 with the release of LEED revisions anticipated for November 7, 2011.