GSA Raises LEED Requirements

WASHINGTON — The United States General Services Administration announced that it now requires all new federal buildings and substantial renovation projects funded before fiscal year 2010 to earn a minimum of LEED Gold certification. Previously, federal buildings had to be LEED Silver certified at most.

 

"Sustainable, better-performing federal buildings can significantly contribute to reducing the government’s environmental footprint," says Robert Peck, GSA’s Public Buildings Service commissioner. "The new requirement is just one of the many ways we’re greening the federal real estate inventory to help deliver on President Obama’s commitment to increase sustainability and energy efficiency across government."

 

The requirement will affect all federal buildings approved beginning in 2011. Architects are also required to modify projects in design to incorporate more green components wherever possible without causing budget constraints. For new construction of leased properties of 10,000 square feet or more, the GSA will continue to maintain its current standard of LEED Silver or better.

 

The GSA oversees a portfolio of 9,600 federally owned and leased properties, which all together exceed 361 million square feet.