In light of two recent articles discussing the interplay of LEED 2009′s Minimum Program Requirements, decertification, and the ongoing Northland Pines High School certification challenge proceeding, it’s worth revisiting these topics in greater detail to clarify some misconceptions that have persisted over the past few months, particularly after remarks in response to those articles from USGBC.
Tag Archives | LEED Version 3.0
RFP Considerations for Tenants Considering Certification Under LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors
USGBC’s LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors rating system includes a significant number of points which tenants can earn towards their LEED-CI certification simply by choosing to lease space in qualifying base buildings; tenants can vet the available pool by properly streamlining the Request for Proposal process.
Top 5 Legal Issues in Green Real Estate: 2009
What were the top stories in green real estate law during 2009, but why was the most important one of all – the Northland Pines decertification proceeding – largely ignored by commentators?
Wisconsin Residents Appealing LEED Gold Certification of Northland Pines High School
According to an article that appeared last week in Eagle River, Wisconsin’s Vilas County News-Review, a group of local residents have filed a 125-page complaint with USGBC that challenges the award of LEED Gold certification to the Northland Pines High School.
“The Green Tragedy: LEED’s Lost Decade” Now in Print
The Green Tragedy: LEED’s Lost Decade was released while I was away last month. Author and Community Solutions executive director Pat Murphy traces the historical argument promoting minimal green building cost premiums, reviews the ongoing marketing effort behind LEED, and concludes that policy makers should demand energy efficiency standards more akin to the German Passive House rather than “cheap quick ‘green’ solutions.”
Do Third Parties Have Standing to Initiate LEED 2009 Decertification Proceedings?
The possibility that a LEED-certified project could be “decertified” by USGBC or GBCI in the event that any of the new LEED 2009 Minimum Program Requirements (“MPRs”) are not satisfied presents a variety of novel legal issues which we presented earlier this year here at GRELJ when the first iteration of MPRs was announced by USGBC. Today, Engineering-News Record (“ENR”) published an article that highlights a number of those issues, but also raises the question of who, exactly, would have standing to bring a decertification proceeding. If strictly limited to USGBC or GBCI, a recent comment here at GRELJ from Brian Anderson (“lawsuits are bad for marketing”) suggests that decertification would be a remote possibility. However, in the ENR piece, which is titled Building Rating System Requirement Raises Concern and authored by Nadine Post, my colleague Ujjval Vyas notes that “[a]ny third party has the right to initiate a non-compliance action by USGBC. This creates a huge risk and provides standing to any entity whatsoever to injure a building owner or tenant.” If third parties can compel decertification proceedings, the risks associated with failing to comply with the MPRs are far more serious than if that discretion rests exclusively with USGBC or GBCI.
LEED Version 3.0: LEED AP versus LEED GA
The Green Building Certification Institute (“GBCI”) of the USGBC is currently in the process of launching its updated professional designations – here’s an overview of the most important changes that LEED APs need to know.
What Will LEED v3 Mean for Green Building Legislation?
The long-awaited LEED Version 3.0 could have important implications for municipal and state level green building legislation.
Gotham Eateries Go Green, Industry Strives for Sustainable Standards
New York City’s restaurants now account for nearly a quarter of all Green Restaurant Association-certified eateries.
Lack of Life Cycle Assessment Continues to Plague Green Building Rating Systems
Life cycle assessment of green building products and materials is becoming an important issue in the battle for green building rating system market share between LEED and Green Globes.
