USGBC anticipates the changes to the LEED process will reduce the time and cost of LEED certification.
"The LEED process innovations are the culmination of a year's work carried out by a lot of dedicated people," said Tom Hicks, Vice President of LEED, USGBC. "Gone are the days when project teams were required to submit binders of documentation, requiring hours of manual preparation. The biggest advancement is that now the LEED process is entirely online, making it easier for project teams to manage."
The refinements are the result of a technical partnership between USGBC and Adobe. "Without Adobe's partnership, USGBC never would have been able to implement this upgrade as quickly and seamlessly," said Hicks.
Hicks noted that, "The technology actually enhances our ability not only to capture LEED project data, but to store it, analyze it, and use it to continue to strengthen LEED. Our users told us they wanted something easier to use and accessible online, and we have met and, we hope, exceeded their expectations with these refinements."
LEED process innovations will make the documentation and certification process more user friendly without diminishing the technical rigor and quality of LEED that the community has come to expect, USGBC says.
The LEED credit requirements themselves have not changed, and project teams are still required to verify their achievements through third party validation and ensure that the building is built as it was designed.
