The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual list of the top 10 states for new LEED certifications in 2012, highlighting those regions that are transforming buildings and communities across the country.
The per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional buildings certified under LEED, through which approximately 2.2 billion sf has been certified worldwide through 2012.
"Securing a spot on this list is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved in the green building movement in these states," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "From architects and designers to local chapter advocates, their collective efforts have brought sustainable building design and use to the forefront of the national discussion on the environment, and I applaud their efforts to create a healthier present and future for the people of their states."
Once again, the District of Columbia tops the ranking, with 36.97 sf of LEED space certified per resident in 2012.
Meanwhile, Virginia moved into position as the top state, with 3.71 sf certified per resident in 2012, overtaking Colorado, with 2.10 sf certified per person.
Other top states include Massachusetts, which moved up three positions from 2011, with 2.05 sf per person; Illinois, with 1.94 sf; and Maryland, with 1.90 sf of LEED space certified per resident in 2012.
Reflecting the ongoing trend of LEED existing buildings outpacing their newly built counterparts, in 2012 the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system accounted for 53% of total sf certified in these states, compared to 32% certified under LEED for New Construction.
The full ranking, which includes 10 states plus Washington, D.C., is as follows:
Rank |
State |
Projects certified in 2012 |
Square feet of LEED space certified in 2012 |
Per-capita square footage |
1 |
District of Columbia |
110 |
22,246,445 |
36.97 |
2 |
Virginia |
170 |
29,709,574 |
3.71 |
3 |
Colorado |
99 |
10,553,881 |
2.10 |
4 |
Massachusetts |
106 |
13,395,597 |
2.05 |
5 |
Illinois |
156 |
24,949,997 |
1.94 |
6 |
Maryland |
127 |
10,954,324 |
1.90 |
7 |
New York |
214 |
34,378,286 |
1.77 |
8 |
Washington |
133 |
10,521,177 |
1.56 |
9 |
California |
540 |
54,252,993 |
1.46 |
10 |
Texas |
224 |
36,017,979 |
1.43 |
11 |
Nevada |
29 |
3,741,941 |
1.39 |
"Buildings are a primary focus of our mayor's Sustainable DC initiative," said Keith Anderson, Interim Director, District of Columbia Department of the Environment. "We are indeed thrilled to be leading the nation in per-capita LEED certified space. Our private and public building sectors are boldly leading with the development of high performing green buildings, and we have aligned governmental policies to support such innovation." +
Related Stories
| Jan 21, 2014
2013: The year of the super-tall skyscraper
Last year was the second-busiest ever in terms of 200-meter-plus building completions, with 73 towers, according to a report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jan 16, 2014
West Point releases plan to achieve net zero campus-wide
The installation has an ambitious plan to move to 100% energy efficiency through several initiatives including more renewable energy production and energy efficiency retrofits.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 7, 2014
World Expo village in Kazakhstan to be triple net zero
World Expo 2017, planned for Astana, Kazakhstan, calls for an expo village that rates triple net zero—zero net use of energy and water and zero net generation of landfill waste.
| Jan 6, 2014
Green Building Initiative names Jerry Yudelson as new President
The Green Building Initiative announced today that it has named Jerry Yudelson as its president to accelerate growth of the non-profit and further leverage its green building assessment tools, including the highly recognized Green Globes rating system.
| Jan 6, 2014
An interview with Jerry Yudelson, President, The Green Building Initiative
Green building consultant Jerry Yudelson has been named President of the Green Building Initiative and the Green Globes rating program. BD+C's Robert Cassidy talks with Yudelson about his appointment and the future of Green Globes.
| Jan 3, 2014
World’s tallest vegetated façade to sprout in Sri Lanka [slideshow]
Set to open in late 2015, the 46-story Clearpoint Residences condo tower will feature planted terraces circling the entire structure.
| Jan 2, 2014
Measuring whole building energy use among big changes in LEED v4
A new prerequisite in LEED v4 calls for each project to measure whole building energy use, and then share that data with USGBC.
| Jan 2, 2014
Sacramento utility maintenance facility earns LEED Platinum, targets net zero
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s new maintenance facility, which is targeting net zero, has received LEED Platinum certification.
| Dec 27, 2013
Grand Cancun to be first net-zero energy luxury eco-tourism resort
Using a marine platform concept instead of an artificial island, the development will create more space with less impact in the fragile marine ecosystem.