February 13, 2002—In preparation for the public launch of a new green building rating system, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) is conducting a pilot test of rating criteria on a select sample of projects.
The rating system is being developed to provide both guidelines and recognition for ongoing achievements in greening building operations. Called the LEED Green Building Rating System for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB), it covers building operations and systems upgrades in existing buildings where the majority of interior or exterior surfaces remain unchanged. LEED-EB provides an opportunity for building owners and operators to reduce the impacts of their buildings on the environment and occupant health over their entire life cycle. It addresses:
- whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues, including chemical use;
- ongoing indoor air quality (IAQ);
- energy efficiency;
- water efficiency;
- recycling programs and facilities;
- exterior maintenance programs; and,
- systems upgrades to meet green building energy, water, IAQ, and lighting performance standards.
For more information about the pilot programs, contact the LEED-EB Committee Co-Chair, Michael Arny, by e-mail at leed-eb@usgbc.org or by telephone at 608/280-0255.
