U.S. Green Building Council Toughens Energy Efficiency Criteria

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council’s membership voted overwhelmingly to adopt a more stringent application of the organization’s sustainable-building rating system.

In a move aimed at improving the energy performance of USGBC-certified buildings, projects will be required to incorporate at least two rating points under the Optimize Energy Performance criterion in order to be eligible for LEED recognition, officials say.

Although the mandated components yield less latitude for developers in accumulating rating points, the more rigorous requirements promote higher energy efficiency and performance standards for LEED-certified buildings.

Officials estimate the OEP-points requirement will improve the energy performance of new construction projects by approximately 14 percent. It is estimated energy performance for existing buildings achieving LEED-certification will be improved by 7 percent.

The USGBC is developing a compliance roadmap to aid projects in achieving the new mandatory requirements, officials say.

With buildings contributing approximately 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, the new OEP requirements represent one component of USGBC’s efforts to reduce the building industry’s efficiency/emissions-based contribution to climate change.

In November 2006, the council’s board of directors issued an eight-point plan to address the impact of buildings on climate change.

In addition to the new mandatory OEP requirements for LEED certification, all new commercial LEED-certified projects will be required to reduce existing carbon dioxide emission levels by 50 percent. The council is also set to launch a carbon reduction education program specifically designed to expand construction industry professionals’ knowledge of the impact of carbon dioxide emissions.

The program will help architects, designers, developers and contractors gain more knowledge in the application of energy efficiency and performance practices and measures in the areas of design and construction, officials say.

United States Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org/