WASHINGTON - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has introduced its new LEED for Existing Building (LEED-EB) green building rating system. Previously in pilot, the rating system has been fully balloted by the USGBC membership. According to the organization, LEED-EB was designed to meet market demand for an existing building rating system following the success of LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC), the USGBC's rating system for new construction.

LEED-EB makes LEED certification available to existing buildings and provides the opportunity for ongoing recertification for previously certified LEED buildings. LEED-EB helps building owners and managers bring the performance of their buildings up to a high level and maintain high performance over the long term, says USGBC. Benefits cited include energy savings, water savings, and healthier indoor environments.

"We are very excited that LEED-EB has been approved by the ballot of our USGBC members," said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC president, CEO, and founding chair. "LEED-NC is rapidly transforming the design and construction of new buildings to sustainable practices. Now with LEED-EB approved, the USGBC has the tools in place to start transforming the existing buildings market to sustainable practices as well. With both LEED-EB and LEED-NC in place, the USGBC is positioned to help building owners and mangers make both new and existing buildings improve their performance over time and become more sustainable."

Development of LEED-EB started in 2001 and the pilot launched in January 2002. The number of buildings registered in the pilot is 99, which includes 31.5 million square feet. Pilot buildings are in 28 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces, and Brazil.

More information on LEED-EB is available on the USGBC Web site at www.usgbc.org.

Publication date: 11/08/2004