LEED 2012 Delayed to 2013, Changes Name

Credit requirement changes in the proposed LEED v4 rating system (formerly LEED 2012) are the most extensive in LEED?EUR??,,????'???s twelve-year history, one of several issues that led to the postponing of the new code?EUR??,,????'???s implementation.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced June 5th that it is holding off on a vote for the latest version of LEED building standards, possibly until June 2013, due to concerns from architects and industry professionals.

Worries that the tools and resources that builders would need to earn LEED credits would not be available when the new system went into effect led the discussion within the USGBC, and eventually led to the deferral. Concerns over adding higher regulation standards to the still-anemic real estate market also influenced the decision; ongoing changes within the new code, specifically in the Materials & Resources portion, which changed with each public comment period, were also a factor.

The USGBC will open a fifth public comment period from October 2nd to December 10th, 2012. The public comment period with overlap with the Greenbuild Expo in San Francisco November 14-16, where the USGBC will offer public forums and educational sessions on LEED v4.

In a blog posting, USGBC President Rick Fedrizzi said that the new code is dropping the ''LEED 2012'' moniker in favor of ''LEED v4''. The organization also confirmed that LEED 2009 and LEED for Homes will remain available for registration until the new code is ready for prime time.