During the five years since the launch of the LEED rating system, the Council has been listening to its members, its customers, and the market as a whole. We've heard that LEED is a wonderful tool, and we've seen it start to transform our industry, but we've also heard that it can be too time-consuming and costly. By refining the LEED process to make it simpler and more user-friendly, while maintaining LEED's technical rigor, we are helping to speed the transformation of the marketplace to sustainability.  

The LEED refinements don't affect the LEED rating system itself—the process has been streamlined, but the requirements for achieving credits retain their technical rigor. We've made it easier for project teams to demonstrate their achievement of those credits. Project teams will be able to complete all of their documentation and submittals through a new online workspace, LEED Online; will have the option to submit credits in two separate phases, design and construction; will have simplified documentation and submittal requirements; and will benefit from a customer-centric, streamlined review process.

Do the changes apply to LEED Version 2.1 projects?

Most of the features of the new process are available for projects registered under LEED Version 2.1. Project teams will be able to use LEED Online, and can also take advantage of the design and construction phase split and submit for design review. Although the new submittal requirements will only be available for LEED-NC Version 2.2 projects, 2.1 project teams will get new Adobe letter templates that are individual files for each credit, instead of having to work with a large, cumbersome spreadsheet. Project teams that wish to switch their registration from 2.1 to 2.2 can do so at no charge.

LATEST REFINEMENTS

LEED Goes Paperless

The LEED process is now entirely online. Projects were previously required to submit binders of paper documentation to USGBC for review. Now, projects will have the option to submit 100% of their documentation online in an easy- to-use format.

Via LEED Online, a user-friendly interface made possible by Adobe Live Cycle, project team members will be able to upload credit templates, track Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs), manage key project details, contact customer service, and communicate with reviewers throughout the design and construction reviews. All LEED information, resources and support will be accessible in a centralized location.

Design and Construction Phase Submittals

Project teams can submit design phase credits at one time and then move to the construction phase, allowing ongoing feedback to the project throughout the project's progression. This will allow design teams to modify design documents prior to commencing construction, and will give teams and building owners confidence that the project is on track for certification.

Streamlined Documentation and Certification

The LEED documentation process now more closely aligns itself with existing instruments of service to cut down on additional project documentation. In addition, the LEED certification review process has been streamlined and made significantly more user-friendly.

Credit Templates downloaded via the online workspace will contain easy to use data fields for most of the information required for documentation. Instruments of service will be accepted online as part of the documentation process. The project workspace will also have built-in flexibility for alternate compliance paths.

Building in a Feedback Loop

Listening to the customers has always been a priority, and the LEED refinements will enable improved customer service and increased customer interaction. In addition, customer service satisfaction surveys and ongoing market research will be integrated into the LEED process and into USGBC's 2006 planning.