The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its 2013 rankings of the top 10 states for LEED, their globally used and recognized green building rating system.
The per capita list is topped by Illinois, which racked up 171 commercial and institutional LEED certifications in 2013.
These projects together account for 29,415,284 square feet of space, which works out to 2.29 square feet of LEED certified space added per resident in the state.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said in a statement that both the public and private sectors in Illinois recognize that long-term investments in 21stcentury infrastructure should be done in ways that reduce energy consumption and protect the environment.
Brian Imus, executive director of the USGBC Illinois Chapter, said the state’s ranking was a result of a robust network of businesses committed to sustainability working together with elected officials who understand the benefits of green building.
Illinois was followed on the list by Maryland, which racked up 119 LEED commercial and institutional certifications in 2013 that together added 12,696,429 square feet of green building space, or 2.20 square feet per resident in Maryland.
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley issued a statement in which he says that over the last seven years in Maryland, they have been committed to developing and implementing environmentally smart building practices because green development saves money and is good for the environment.
Mary Pulcinella, executive director of the USGBC Maryland Chapter, said that it’s rewarding to make the top 10 list, but being recognized is not the end goal. Pulcinella said they hope to see more widespread implementation of green building practices and look forward to innovative ideas coming from inspired entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
USGBC’s top 10 states for LEED list is based on the per capita green space added by commercial and institutional projects that were awarded LEED certifications in 2013.
If you go by the sheer number of LEED certifications, California is by far the top state with 595 projects certified in 2013, followed by New York which garnered 259 certifications. Funnily enough, California and New York were tied in fifth place on the per capita list with each adding 1.95 square feet of certified green space per resident.
Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC, said the top 10 states for LEED list is a continuing indicator of the widespread recognition of the national imperative to create healthier and high-performing buildings that are better for the environment and for the people who use them every day.
Fedrizzi added that green buildings continue to provide for jobs at every professional level and skill set from carpenters to architects.
via:http://www.economicdevelopmenthq.com/blog/usgbc-leed-green-building-rankings/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+economicdevelopmenthq+%28Economic+Development+Blog%29
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