LEED rating system grows into global phenomenon

Twelve years ago, the USGBC launched the LEED rating system, hoping that architects, engineers, designers, and real estate firms would improve energy efficiency and increase the use of recycled materials and nontoxic paint in their projects. Now there are 14,044 LEED-certified commercial projects, covering more than 2 billion square feet, in 140 countries, with another 34.601 projects in the pipeline.

CBRE puts up $1M to fund green building research

CBRE Group Inc. is launching a $1 million initiative to fund green building research that helps reduce water and energy use in the commercial real estate sector. CBRE will accept applications from researchers working to solve the real estate industry’s environmental challenges.

AIA commits to develop public health, sustainability solutions

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced a ten-year commitment to develop design and technology solutions for cities that address challenges in public health, sustainability, and resiliency to natural disasters.

Green building benefits 'need better documentation'

Wider financial, environmental, and social benefits need to be documented for green building if it is to maintain the growth seen in the past decade, according to research by McGraw-Hill Construction. The research concluded that more data about the non-financial benefits of green building is needed to encourage organizations to increase their investment in such projects

Mississippi senator wants science-based 'green' programs

While many have gone gaga over environmentally friendly green buildings, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said that some energy-efficiency standards are hurting the American wood products industry, and that sound science should be used to help determine policies regarding certification standards.

Perkins + Will surpasses 150 LEED-certified mark

The global design firm of Perkins + Will has received LEED certification on its 155th project — 20 of which have come in at the Platinum level.

Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities' new green building

The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities in Wyoming moved its operations into a new building, which includes a variety of sustainable features including a recirculating water system, motion-controlled lighting, low-e glazing, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and green building materials.

Tetra Tech awarded $24 Million EPA contract

Tetra Tech, Inc. was awarded a $24 million multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide technical, analytical, and programmatic support services to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program.

Nationwide Insurance opening new green campus

Nationwide Insurance is opening a new, green-built campus in San Antonio, Texas. The 280,000-square-foot sales and operations center is LEED-certified.

Building Yale's sustainable future

The Yale University Health Center is the most recent Yale facility to receive LEED certification. It was the 12th Yale building to be certified since 2005.

City of Houston is a finalist in global energy contest

The City of Houston’s “Green Office Challenge” is among five global projects in the energy category for the Financial Times and Citi sponsored Ingenuity Awards. The Green Office Challenge is a 12-month program for commercial property owners and tenants to reduce energy use in their offices.