LEED Leads the Way

LEED^® certification is the recognized standard in the U.S. and a number of other countries for sustainability in commercial construction and major renovation projects.

Commercial buildings are not new to the sustainability industry. The “green” movement in these buildings stems from research initiatives, state and federal backed programs, grants or green loan funds, and utility programs. Regardless of the driving force, “green” practices in commercial buildings have become mainstream. Examples of what facilities are doing to improve upon sustainability measures include:

• Commissioning and retro commissioning of building HVAC systems
• Adopting alternative energy sources, including solar energy
• Implementing facility energy conservation policies
• Seeking LEED Certification for buildings

Developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit coalition of building industry leaders, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ promotes design and construction practices that strive to increase profitability, reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improve the health and well-being of their occupants.

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides third-party verification. LEED certifies that a building was designed and built using strategies that improve performance including energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

The LEED rating system offers four certification levels for new construction that are based on credits accrued in five green design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality. Standards are under development to cover new home construction, neighborhood developments and several additional categories.

Building green involves all phases of a project from design, material selection, building techniques and final application.

LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED can be applied to all building types. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant uses, and building retrofits.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED website provides more information about the benefits and process associated with obtaining LEED certification.

Many new technologies and building practices are available today to help you become energy efficient. If you’re building or renovating, please contact us to learn how natural gas technologies can save you energy and money, make your facility more environmentally friendly, and improve your LEED rating.

'USGBC' and related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used by permission.