Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Green buildings use design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in five broad areas: sustainable site planning, safeguarding water and water efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy, conservation of materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

USGBC's mission is to promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.

These work places result in increased employee productivity from less absenteeism, less sickness, fewer employee turnovers, and increased efficiency. Numerous studies confirm that employees are more efficient when they have clean air, access to daylight, individual control over lighting, heating and cooling, and no pollutants in the carpet, painting, cleaning supplies and other materials on the property.

Study by Carnegie Mellon University have shown productivity increases in high performance buildings ranging from 0.4% to 18%

Click below for materials from our May 2007 LEED Conference:

"Greening Your Portfolio Toward the Bottom Line"
(Thomas Properties Group)

"Building Great Green Things"
(DPR Construction, Inc.)

"LEED and The Green Building Movement - What Does it Mean to You?"
(Brenda V. Morawa, PE, LEED AP, QCxP)