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
| Sep 16, 2013
Passive solar, enhanced envelope crucial to Univ. of Illinois net-zero project
Passive solar strategies and an enhanced envelope are keys to achieving net-zero on the new 230,000 sf Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering building at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
| Sep 13, 2013
Insurance expert: Managing green liability risk not so different from 'normal' risk mitigation
Worries about legal liability have long dogged the sustainable building movement, but insurance expert Karen Erger says sustainability lawsuits are caused by the same types of issues that have always prompted clients to sue AEC firms.
| Sep 13, 2013
Video: Arup offers tour of world's first algae-powered building
Dubbed BIQ house, the building features a bright green façade consisting of hollow glass panels filled with algae and water.
| Sep 11, 2013
New design for Chinese science park aims for zero-carbon footprint
A new design for Jinshui Science and Technology Park in Zhengzhou, China is aiming for a zero-carbon footprint.
| Sep 4, 2013
Smart building technology: Talking results at the BUILDINGChicago/ Greening the Heartland show
Recent advancements in technology are allowing owners to connect with facilities as never before, leveraging existing automation systems to achieve cost-effective energy improvements. This BUILDINGChicago presentation will feature Procter & Gamble’s smart building management program.
| Sep 3, 2013
Grand Junction, Colo., courthouse aims to be first net-zero building on National Register of Historic Places
After a two year renovation, the 95-year oldWayne S. Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse in Grand Junction, Colo., is being evaluated for LEED Platinum status and may become the National Register of Historic Places’ first net-zero-energy building.
| Aug 27, 2013
College of the Desert in Palm Springs to produce more energy than it consumes
A 60-acre solar farm next to the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, Calif., along with a number of sustainable building features, are projected to help the campus produce more energy than it uses.
| Aug 19, 2013
Integration of solar panels in building skin seen as key net-zero element
Recent high-profile projects, including stadiums in Brazil for the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics and a bank headquarters in the U.K., reflect an effort by designers to adopt building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV.
| Aug 14, 2013
Green Building Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest green design and construction firms.
| Aug 12, 2013
New York’s first net-zero school will be a sustainability lab for city school system
An elementary school on Staten Island will be the first net-zero energy school in New York City and the Northeast. The school is designed to use half the energy of a typical New York public school. Construction will be completed in 2015.