by Shane Henson — January 28, 2013—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual list of the top 10 states for new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications in 2012, highlighting those regions that are transforming buildings and communities across the country. LEED is the USGBC’s voluntary, consensus-based, market—driven program that provides third-party verification of green buildings.
According to the USGBC, the per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional buildings certified under LEED, through which approximately 2.2 billion square feet of space has been certified worldwide through 2012.
Once again, the District of Columbia topped the ranking, with 36.97 square feet of LEED space certified per resident in 2012. Meanwhile, Virginia moved into the position as the top state, with 3.71 square feet certified per resident in 2012, overtaking Colorado, with 2.10 square feet certified per person.
Other top states include Massachusetts, which moved up three positions from 2011, with 2.05 square feet per person; Illinois, with 1.94 square feet; and Maryland, with 1.90 square feet of LEED space certified per resident in 2012. New York, Washington, California, Texas and Nevada also made it into the top 10 ranking.
Reflecting the ongoing trend of LEED existing buildings outpacing their newly built counterparts, in 2012, the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system accounted for 53 percent of total square footage certified in these states, compared to 32 percent certified under LEED for New Construction, according to the USGBC.
