Previously, Green Building Law Update wrote that the struggling financial sector may impact the number of projects seeking LEED certification. This past weekend, an article highlighting this point came across my desk that I had to share. Gazette.Net profiled numerous green building projects in Maryland that, despite initially incorporating numerous green building strategies, will not seek LEED certification:
Despite its bevy of energy-saving features, local construction material and preferred parking for hybrid vehicles, the latest office building by Matan Cos. of Frederick isn’t receiving the green imprimatur of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Matan’s RiversideFive office building — a 126,151-square-foot, four-story structure near the Monocacy River — meets the council’s criteria for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification. But Matan is waiting until a tenant requests a LEED-certified building to actually complete the certification process, which can cost up to $2,250.
Matan Cos. went on to claim that LEED certification was not pursued because of owners “conscientious of savings.” The article also highlights another development project that initially sought LEED certification and then abandoned green building strategies:
BP Solar, which is expanding its Frederick headquarters, originally sought LEED certification with a planned green roof, solar panels and energy-efficient design. Plans for going green changed when BP announced it would not complete the $97 million project to expand its manufacturing capacity, but finish only the $30 million addition for office space.
Obviously, this is just anecdotal evidence but these projects suggest that LEED certification will find itself on the chopping block as projects struggle to gain financing. On Wednesday, we will discuss a Maryland public project that eliminated LEED certification. State budgets, in particular, will feel a substantial impact from the financial downturn, and state green building efforts may pay the price.
Photo Credit: Matan Cos.
Related links:
Developers cede LEED label for savings (Gazette.Net)
