Codes and Standards

USGBC’s LEED v4 to begin beta testing next month

The U.S. Green Building Councilwill begin the LEED v4 beta testing period in November. In addition, the fifth public-comment period for proposed changes to LEED standards has been launched. Comments on the proposed LEED v4 standards can be made on the USGBC website until December 10. The new green standard is scheduled to launch in 2013.
Oct. 11, 2012
2 min read

The U.S. Green Building Councilwill begin the LEED v4 beta testing period in November. In addition, the fifth public-comment period for proposed changes to LEED standards has been launched. Comments on the proposed LEED v4 standards can be made on the USGBC website until December 10. The new green standard is scheduled to launch in 2013.

LEED v4 will provide nearly 20% of all points for energy-efficiency exceeding the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 standards, a move that would do more to help curb carbon emissions than any LEED rating system in its 12-year history, the USGBC says. The LEED v4 draft includes a provision that will give a building that uses fewer, better materials up to nine LEED points in an effort to give incentives to product manufacturers to voluntarily report about their product makeup and to reduce negative impacts from raw material extraction through the manufacturing process.

The next version of LEED also includes more options for projects outside of the US, and has been expanded to more market sectors including data centers, warehouses, and distribution centers.

This June, the USGBC postponed the release of LEED v4 after criticism from designers and other building professionals that the new standards needed refinement, and fears that tools to implement LEED v4 would not be available in time for the release.

(http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/10/04/usgbc-opens-proposed-leed-update-to-public-comment/)

About the Author

Dwight Perkins

Dwight Perkins is the Senior Director of Field Operations for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and orchestrates the code adoption efforts of 11 other IAPMO Field Service regions as well as directly working with the state code agencies in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon. Mr. Perkins has more than 35 years experience in the plumbing industry starting as an Apprentice in Alaska moving through the ranks to become a Journeyman Plumber and Business Manager of with UA Local 262. Prior to joining IAPMO, Perkins served in the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly while worked as Deputy Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He is extremely familiar with the demands jurisdictions face on a daily basis and he is particularly well suited to address those needs. Mr. Perkins may be contacted at IAPMO at 503-982-1193 or email [email protected]
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