USGBC Releases 2012 List of Top 10 States for LEED

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." +

Allan Bilka, RA, is a Senior Staff Architect and Secretariat to the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) with the International Code Council, based in the ICC’s Chicago district office. He also serves as staff liaison to the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard. He has written several ICC white papers on green building and numerous green-related articles for the ICC. A registered architect, Bilka has over 30 years of combined residential design/build and commercial consulting engineering experience.