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What is LEED? PDF Print E-mail
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a nationally recognized rating system for green buildings that are designed, constructed and operated in an environmentally friendly way. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types, commercial and residential.  It works throughout the building lifecycle: design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fit out and significant retrofit.  BLUEGILL Energy Management consults, participates, and certifies projects seeking LEED recognition.  LEED was created to accomplish the following:
  • Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
  • Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
  • Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
  • Stimulate green competition
  • Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
  • Transform the building market
  • Revenue driven to attain the highest amount of profit while maintaining the appearance of global concern. Mandatory compliance while attaining highest monetary profit
Environmental and financial benefits from LEED certification:
  • Lower operating costs and increased asset value
  • Reduce waste sent to landfills
  • Conserve energy and water
  • Healthier and safer for occupants
  • Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
  • Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities
  • Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility
LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified. Based on the number of points a building earns, it can be awarded certification of one of four ratings:
  • Certified 40+ points
  • Silver 50+ points
  • Gold 60+ points
  • Platinum (highest rating) 80+ points