New Credits Introduced for LEED Pilot Library

WASHINGTON, DC-The next time the US Green Building Council updates the LEED green building program, LEED 2012, it will include changes to credits within the LEED Pilot Credit Library. This library was established with the goal of gathering real-time feedback on proposed requirements, allowing USGBC to refine credits through LEED project evaluations before being introduced into LEED.

USGBC made this announcement as LEED 2012 opens up for its third series of public comments. The current LEED 2012 draft focuses on improving the rating system, user experience and providing additional measurement and performance tools.
Key changes within the Pilot Credit Library that will be presented include a focus towards a more integrated decision making framework based on life cycle assessment, according to Brendan Owens, VP, LEED Technical Development. "When considered as an integrated system, the credits encourage actions that move us towards a products universe focused on transparency and multi-attribute life cycle optimization,” he said in a prepared statement.

The new round of public comments started Mar. 1, and will end 20 days later.  Once the comment period process is over, LEED 2012 will be balloted in June and launched in November. To vote in the ballot, USGBC members must opt in to the Consensus Body beginning Apr. 2.

“This continuous improvement is the outcome of thousands of technical volunteers working to develop the program and the adaptability of the program to technological and market changes,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED at USGBC, in a prepared statement. “LEED sits at the core of the green building movement, and is critical in realizing our collective mission,” he added.