A few weeks ago, the ABC Green Council hosted a free seminar talking about the new LEED® Rating System and the Living Building Challenge and Passive House, two other certification programs that are starting to gain momentum. The information was presented by James Jenkins with O’Brien & Company.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification program is for both commercial and residential projects. The certification system was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy savings, water efficiencies, carbon emissions reductions and overall improved indoor environmental quality. By using these strategies, LEED® provides building owners and operators a framework a long lasting sustainable building design through construction and operations.
What is involved in getting LEED® certified? Under the new 2009 guidelines, the LEED® certification program has been broken into three professional credential programs. LEED® Green Associate is for professionals to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. This would be a great program for subcontractors who are not interested in getting the AP designation, but can demonstrate to general contractors that they do have sustainable building knowledge. The next progression is to become a LEED® AP. This credential builds on the LEED® Green Associate by specializing in a particular LEED® Rating System (i.e. LEED® AP BD+C, Home, ID+C, ND and O+M). The last designation, currently referred to as the LEED®AP Fellow credential, is still under development. This advanced credential is only for professionals who have demonstrated years of experience, knowledge and contributions to the standards of practice and improvements in the green building field. LEED® certified professionals will also be responsible for continuing professional development through the Credentialing Maintenance Program. LEED® professionals must earn their required continuing education hours to keep their certification current.
For more information on the LEED® Professional Accreditation Certification Programs, visit the U.S. Green Building Council at www.usgbc.org and the Green Building Certification Institute at www.gbci.org.
The ABC Green Council Roundtables are held every first Thursday of the month. The ABC Green Council Steering Committee is always looking for interested members to join the group. The ABC Green Council Steering Committee is a fun group that develops programs and resources regarding sustainable construction. If you would like to attend or find out more information, please contact Kim Trautman at (425) 646-8000, (800) 640-7789.