There is a new No. 1 in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) annual list of the top 10 states for new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications.
With 3.71 sq ft of commercial- and institutional-building space certified per resident in 2012—up from 2.42 sq ft in 2011—Virginia moved up two spots to top the list. Finishing second was last year’s top state, Colorado, with 2.10 sq ft.
Other top states include Massachusetts, which moved up three positions from 2011, with 2.05 sq ft per resident; Illinois, with 1.94 sq ft; and Maryland, with 1.90 sq ft.
“Securing a spot on this list is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved in the green-building movement in these states,” Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer, and founding chair of the USGBC, said. “From architects and designers to local chapter advocates, their collective efforts have brought sustainable building design and use to the forefront of the national discussion on the environment, and I applaud their efforts to create a healthier present and future for the people of their states.”
LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance accounted for 53 percent of the total square footage certified in the top 10 states, while LEED for New Construction accounted for 32 percent.
Buildings certified in 2012 include:
• Atlantic Wharf in Boston, the first LEED Platinum skyscraper.
• Cooper Vineyards in Louisa, Va., the first LEED Platinum winery on the East Coast.
• The National Football League’s corporate headquarters in New York City, LEED Gold.
• Levi Strauss’ headquarters in San Francisco, LEED Gold.
• The Chicago Center for Green Technology, a LEED Platinum existing building.
• Dallas Convention Center Hotel, the first LEED Gold hotel in Texas.
• U.S. Mint Headquarters in Washington, D.C., LEED Gold.
• Denver Police Crime Lab, LEED Gold.
• Montgomery College Science Center in Rockville, Md., LEED Gold.
• The Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma, Wash., LEED Platinum.
• Bonneville Transit Center in Las Vegas, LEED Platinum.
The 2012 list of top 10 states for LEED is based on 2010 U.S. Census data.