When it comes to maintaining high standards for wood and forests, the second iteration of LEED 2012 presents a confusing picture. But overall, it must be said that this draft lowers the bar on wood and forests in fundamentally unacceptable ways. If this were implemented, it would undermine the movement toward forest conservation and more sustainable forestry and result in major damage to USGBC's reputation.

Fortunately, as it relates to wood alone, this version of LEED 2012 is rife with errors and inconsistencies. Assuming that this pattern of rather sloppy work runs throughout, there will certainly need to be a third iteration and comment period before LEED 2012 is balloted. This means that there is still time to get this right, provided (and this, of course, is a big proviso!) that those making the calls in the LEED revision process are disposed to listen to reason.

For detail, see this link:

http://www.jasongrantconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/LEED-2012...