In an effort to improve its system for measuring energy efficiency, the U.S. Green Building Council is stepping up ratings for green operations, requiring building owners to provide data on energy and water use and to apply for recertification every five years.
These new criteria, the USGBC hopes, will ensure that green features are not only installed but utilized and improved. Tracking energy data will allow building owners to gauge the effect of changes and continue to improve efficiency, and allow owners to compare their usage to similar buildings.
The changes come in response to public criticism that current LEED ratings don't emphasize overall green operations rather than a list of individual green features. For more information on the new LEED ratings, visit http://www.usgbc.org, or check out SustainableBusiness.com.
