The influx of "sustainable" building products can make it difficult to distinguish the truth from the hype. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), which has been promoting sustainable building for over a decade, is refining its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system so that it can be expanded to encompass new technologies.

LEED 2009 was recently released under an umbrella of updates known as LEED version 3, which strives to streamline the certification process and create framework for future developments to the rating system. LEED is a third party certification program recognizing buildings that apply design,construction and operation practices that reduce negative environmental impacts and improve occupant well-being. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability incorporating performance metrics from five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Based on a point based system with four levels of certification - certified, silver, gold, or platinum, LEED certification rewards quantifiable performance and allows project teams the flexibility to choose initiatives that are appropriate for the project. It is important to incorporate LEED into the project as early as possible for maximum impact and achievement.

This latest LEED update continues the development of benchmarks for sustainability and incorporates new research and innovations gathered from the current market. One notable change in the LEED 2009 system is a greater emphasis on energy efficiency and CO2 reductions by more heavily weighting their points that are accrued to obtain certification.

LEED 2009 also incorporates regional credits that award points to buildings based on locally significant issues. The purpose of Regional Priority Credits (RPCs) is to incentivize achievement of credits that address environmental issues specific to particular geographic areas.

RPC's are identified by the USGBC chapters and regional councils, and areas are reference by ZIP code. Each specific area has six RPC's per rating system. A project may earn up to four bonus points as a result of earning RPC's, with one bonus point earned per RPC. This may seem confusing, so hiring an experienced LEED Accredited can help streamline the project through the certification process, and it also earns a project an additional LEED credit.

By updating the LEED certification process, the USGBC continues to promote the "triple bottom line" -- environmental responsibility, social well being and economic return. As LEED continues to gain recognition as a benchmark for sustainability, building owners and developers should consider the benefits of a LEED project

Katie Vonderhaar oversees LEED Consulting and Administration, Commissioning and energy Modeling programs for Energy Ace, a sustainability consulting firm helping architects, engineers, building owners and developers design, create and operate sustainable environments.