Extending Their LEED: Green Advantage Program is Approved for Innovation Credit

Green Advantage, Inc., has been notified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that the Green Advantage personnel certification program has been approved as a LEED Innovation Credit for projects seeking LEED Certification.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized green building certification system. Developed by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in March 2000, LEED provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.

LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale – e.g., 21 points for a sustainable site; 11, for water efficiency; 37, for energy and atmosphere; 14, for materials and resources; and 17 for indoor environmental quality. Credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impact.

In addition, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues, and 6 of which recognize innovation in design.  Innovation is the category in which the new Green Advantage personnel certification program has been approved for accreditation.

This USGBC approval enables construction projects registered under LEED-NC v2.2 and LEED 2009 Building Design & Construction – for commercial and institutional projects, including high-rise commercial and residential buildings – that meet the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard™ to include this Innovation Credit in the project’s submitted point total.

Already approved by USGBC for projects registered under LEED-NC v2.0 and v2.1, the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard requires at least 30 percent of select construction personnel to be Green Advantage-certified prior to and throughout the duration of a construction project.

“Green Advantage is extremely pleased to have the U.S .Green Building Council expand its formal recognition of the contribution of Green Advantage Certified personnel to construction projects,” said Grady O’Rear, president and CEO of the Frederick, Maryland-based company. “The Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard is designed to improve achievement of a construction project’s environmental, health, crew collaboration, and budgetary goals. Green Advantage Certified personnel have not only demonstrated their knowledge of the ‘why’ behind green design and construction, but the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of effective construction field practices.”

With more than 16,000 member companies and organizations – and more than 160,000 LEED Professional Credential holders – USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) from 2009 through 2013.

For more information about USGBC recognition of Green Advantage Certified Personnel and the Green Advantage Field Personnel Standard Innovation credit eligibility under LEED-NC v2.2 and LEED 2009 BD&C visit Green Advantage LEED Innovation Credit or email info@greenadvantage.org .