LEED 2009: Focus on Operations and Maintenance
Part 1: What are the Changes in LEED 2009?
Part 2: USGBC Harmonizes Credits in LEED 2009
Part 3: USGBC Adjusts Credit Weightings, Point Scale in LEED 2009
Part 4: LEED v3 Features Regional Priority Credits
Part 5: Keys To Achieving LEED v3 Certification
What are the Changes in LEED 2009?
By Gordon Dowrey
June 2009
Maintenance and engineering managers often spearhead the initiatives to achieve sustainable operations in institutional and commercial facilities. The most recognized standard for certifying sustainable design and operations is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
In April, USGBC released the latest version of the rating system, LEED version 3 (v3). Managers most likely will be directly involved in overseeing LEED certification projects in existing buildings, so a closer look at LEED v3 and, more specifically, LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EB: O&M) will shed light on the way the newest version of the rating system will affect managers and their organizations.
The technical advances of LEED 2009 are based on three enhancements: harmonizing prerequisites and credits for increased consistency; adjusting credit weightings based on their impact on human and environmental health concerns; and prioritizing select credit weightings to address regional environmental issues. These advances, combined with a new version of LEED Online and an expanded certification structure administered by the Green Building Certification Institute, comprise LEED v3.
