The Trend Towards LEED-EB

The number of LEED projects certified by the USGBC doubled in 2008, and in 2009 the most significant growth is forecast in the LEED-EB space – which has seen registration for certification triple since the end of 2007. Experts (such as Jerry Yudelson of Yudelson Associates) predict an even stronger shift towards LEED-EB as new construction efforts slow down and building owners and property managers seek to outfit their current portfolios. In fact, by January of this year, more than 715 million square feet had been registered for the USGBC’s LEED-EB Operations & Maintenance certification, which is only set to grow as green building is increasingly mandated by local, state, and federal government.

The LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system was released by the USGBC in March of 2008, and introduced more credits for energy efficiency than its predecessor LEED-EB 2.0. It helps building owners and operators measure the improvements they can make upon traditional building practices, with the goal being to maximize the operational efficiency of the building whilst reducing the impacts of construction through greener practices and environmentally-friendly materials.
LEED-EB O&M can be applied to projects previously certified under LEED New Construction (NC) and Core & Shell (CS), as well as existing buildings that owners wish to have outfitted and designated as energy efficient.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Following LEED specifications for new building endeavors is a fantastic way to reverse the practices we have become used to; but the sheer volume of structures already in the ground is a mountain that we need to summit just as aggressively as we pursue the new ways to build. Perhaps this is a silver lining to the gray cloud of the economy – a chance to retrofit our older buildings and maximize on our potential for efficiency. ~ Matt

Matt Kiszka is the LEED and Greenbuilding initiatives project manager for Renewable Choice