Loudoun County, Va., supervisors may do away with a county policy that requires LEED Silver certification on new county buildings. At a recent meeting, county supervisors questioned whether LEED certification is a cost effective policy.
The issue came to the fore during a discussion of preliminary plans for the planned Ashburn Sheriff Substation, which includes rooftop PVs.County buildings staff said the panels were included to reach the LEED goals. Several supervisors said they were not aware of the county policy on LEED certification.
“I don’t think the goal is necessarily LEED. I know that’s the policy, but I think the goal is energy efficiency, therefore cost-savings,” said Supervisor Ralph Buona, according to a report in the Loudoun Times. Buona said that the LEED requirement could lead to steep up-front costs and delay some projects.
(http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/loudoun_county_reconsidering_green_energy_policy432)
Related Stories
Data Centers | Sep 19, 2016
New ANSI/ASHRAE data center standard is performance-based, more flexible
The aim of the standard was to ‘not stifle innovation.’
Codes and Standards | Sep 16, 2016
Calm weather tidal flooding impacting several communities on East and Gulf Coasts
Local officials face the prospect of costly mitigation projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2016
OSHA appoints new director for its construction directorate
The forty-year industry veteran has been a GC and business owner.
Energy | Sep 13, 2016
Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy
The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.
Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016
Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts
A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.
Legislation | Sep 8, 2016
Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects
Missouri is the latest to enact design-build legislation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2016
Vapor intrusion risk addressed in new ASTM guide update
The updates address industry confusion over how to handle the issue.
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.