NLBMDA Green Update MultiBriefs
May 22, 2012
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USGBC Opens Fourth Round of Public Comments on LEED 2012; Slight Change to Wood Credit
NLBMDA
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened a 4th public comment period on the proposed LEED 2012. This version includes a slightly modified qualification for "bio-based materials," a subject on which NLBMDA has commented during earlier rounds of public comments. At issue for NLBMDA is the continued bias for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certification over the several other widely used programs in order for the wood or wood products to qualify for the rating system's "wood credit." The last draft of LEED proposed that wood products would have to be certified by FSC "or better" programs, with no clarity on how "or better" would be defined or determined. The new draft text for public comments makes the modest change from FSC "or better" to this proposal: "New wood products must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or USGBC-approved equivalent. Other bio-based products must meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network's Sustainable Agriculture Standard." This proposed change hardly clarifies the situation satisfactorily. The forest certification issue remains the principal concern for NLBMDA and others who have consistently called for recognition of all credible forest certification programs in place in the North American marketplace, including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). NLBMDA members with questions may contact Frank Moore at frank@dealer.org. For more information on the LEED public draft, visit www.usgbc.org. More

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