Santa Monica, Calif., may offer LEED alternatives to help promote green construction

With developers in Santa Monica, Calif., looking for ways to build green more inexpensively, the city may consider alternatives to LEED such as Green Globes.

At least one developer of a mixed-use housing project has asked for and received permission from the City Council to go for a LEED equivalent building according to LEED standards, but not having to go through the certification process. 

But there is no alternative review process in place at City Hall and no employees are trained to ensure that a project is LEED equivalent. Thus, Green Globes, a less costly option, might be a viable alternative.

“With Green Globes recently increasing their standards, it may be time for another look,” said Dean Kubani, who heads the city’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment.

(http://smdp.com/taking-the-green-out-of-green-building-certification/132959)