What is LEED?
Once upon a time, in 1994, the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), created LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED is a number of rating systems that uplevelenvironmental responsibility in the building and maintenance of green buildings, whether business, homes, or even city areas.
Changing the standards is the sole purview of USGBC and is a complex internal project that the general public is permitted to comment on at Public Review hearings. However, when it comes to making final decisions, USGBC has the final say.
Unsurprisingly, as the country has become more aware of environmental needs, LEED’s employee and volunteer numbers have grown, as has its use. Literally thousands of projects both in the U.S. and outside have been in adherence to any number of sets of LEEDS rules and regulations.
Is LEED available everywhere, however? No. There are four states in the U.S. that will not use LEED standards. Those states are Maine, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. Their refusal to adhere to LEED standards allows them to use lower industry standards – standards that allow for cheaper and less quality work.
If you are interested in being accredited as a LEED professional, USGBC offers various rating accreditations through their Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The accreditation levels are:
LEED Fellows
LEED Green Associate
LEED Accredited Professional