USGBC answers Congressional critics over LEED 2012 credits on building materials

After over 70 Congressman wrote to the General Services Administration criticizing proposed LEED 2012 credits on building materials, the US Green Building Council has started to fight back. The criticism pertains to proposed credits that may encourage alternatives to certain building materials now used in energy efficient buildings. USGBC’s response said that “some industry trade associations have deployed false rhetoric about job losses, chemical bans, and high costs to the taxpayer.”

“LEED v4 [previously known as LEED 2012] will not ban any chemicals or products,” the USGBC says. “LEED v4 utilizes private?market incentives to reward companies that produce more transparent, well-documented building materials. There is no ‘red list’ of banned chemicals. Furthermore, the materials credits contemplated for LEED v4 are completely voluntary.”

GSA is not currently evaluating LEED v4 since it has not been issued. Instead, the agency is evaluating LEED 2009—the latest version of the standards—and two other certification systems as part of its regular review of building standards. The review could lead to replacing LEED with another sustainability standard.

(http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/233637-chemical-industry-bristles-at-green-building-standards)

NOTE:This information is the opinion of the author/blogger and not the official position of IAPMO.