Despite waiting till the last minute to study, I got a really good score and became a LEED Green Associate. Here’s where I spill all my secrets!
Originally published 03/13/2013, updated 8/7/2018
Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t usually procrastinate.
But when I read that being a LEED Green Associate involved “basic” green building knowledge, I figured I had things pretty well under control. I started studying six days before the test.
Need help preparing for a LEED v4 exam?
LEED Interpretation #10250, issued January 1, 2013 and applicable to all LEED 2009 projects, as well NC-v2.2 and other systems, now allows for the use of urea in combination with melamine formaldehyde (MF) in certain circumstances.
Editor's Update: As expected, LEED Interpretation #10250 was revisited by USGBC in its 4/1/13 release. This article has been updated to address that revision.
USGBC has announced a 6th public comment period for LEED version 4, the newest version of the LEED rating systems, but it says that there will be no delay in the member balloting and launch of the system.
The concept plaque, a digital, data-driven “performance dashboard,” would keeping a building’s LEED certification up to date with its actual performance.
LEED v4 got most of the attention at the November 2012 Greenbuild conference, but another LEED concept was unveiled that could, over time, have as much or more impact on how we perceive and interact with the LEED Rating System.
USA Today is at it again with another attack on LEED, this time focused on schools. Do they save energy? Do they improve student performance? There is still not enough data, but this article does its best to disprove that.
USA Today is at it again with bizarre accusations in previous articles that LEED buildings wrongly reward teams for reaping low-hanging fruit.
Do they save energy? Do they improve student performance? Any dispassionate reading of the tidbits of evidence scattered throughout this rambling, unfocused story would suggest that there is still not enough data to answer either of those questions confidently, although Frank’s sensationalistic tone does its best to imply that the answer is no.
LEED-EBOM recertification guidance from USGBC is here. Here are the key features of the program, including unveiling of new performance requirements for older Existing Building projects.
Casting LEED as a tool used by developers to gain tax breaks, a USA Today story misses LEED’s benefits, as well as advances in performance tracking.
I took a call from Tom Frank, a reporter at USA Today last week, and spent over an hour on the phone with him explaining the proposed LEED v4 rating system and what it’s trying to achieve.
Answers to our diabolical quiz on LEED v4. How did you do? Comment in our forum.
USGBC has opened the fifth—and, it expects, final—public comment period on LEED v4, the next version of the LEED rating system.
USGBC has opened the fifth—and, it expects, final—public comment period on LEED v4, the next version of the LEED rating system. The system was referred to as "LEED 2012" for most of its development, but after the fourth public comment period (see discussion on that comment period and draft) ended with a sense among USGBC membership that the system was not ready for a member ballot, USGBC changed the rollout schedule and the name.
A great set of "Lessons Learned" on the Life Support Facility (Building M6-490) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
I really appreciate this set of "Lessons Learned" on the Life Support Facility (Building M6-490) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Frank, revealing, sometimes obvious, but interesting nonetheless.
The USGBC announced new membership fee structures: Organizational, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
The USGBC announced new membership fee structures: Organizational, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The change will be effective October 1, 2012.
Small companies where able to become members for $300 per year and get member discount pricing for LEED project registration and certification. That appears to no longer be the case as of 10/01/2012. To continue to get the discounts a company has to purchase a Silver membership at $1,500 per year. Upgrading of a membership by contacting the USGBC.
FSC and LEED, with its certified wood credit, are hurting the economy, claim the governor of Maine, a U.S. Senator, and SFI. We take a look at the evidence.
This is Part 1 in our "Wood Wars" series.
Defense authorization bill calls to haul military money going to LEED
The U.S. Congress is calling a halt to certain military spending on green building in a newly passed defense authorization bill (H.R. 1540). The bill prohibits use of Department of Defense funds to achieve LEED Gold or Platinum, with waivers possible if a cost-benefit analysis for the project can demonstrate payback. Exceptions may also be made without a special waiver if achieving Gold or Platinum “imposes no additional cost.”
Following in Maine’s footsteps, the State of Georgia has effectively banned LEED certification for State building projects.
Following in Maine’s footsteps, the State of Georgia has effectively banned LEED certification for State building projects.
Got clients that want LEED-certifiable projects but don't want to commit to certification? Join the club, and hear some tips and lessons learned.
“Anyone else finding a trend of clients wanting LEED-certifiable projects but not wanting to commit to certification? I have three projects just this week toying with going this route.”
That was the opening salvo in a recent email discussion I was involved in among a group of architects. With the permission of those involved, I’ve anonymously synthesized some of the key takeaways here. I’d also like to hear from you: please post your experiences on LEED certified vs. certifiable projects below.
