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.

This change, if I am interpreting it correctly, benefits larger companies over small. The few LEED projects a firm has the more diffuclt to absorb the cost. If a firm cannot offer the registation and certification member discounts to projects they are proposing on then a larger company that offer the discount can gets a finacial advantage.

This is not a good change for small business owners.