| According to the United States Green Building Council | | | | which is paid up front. Starting on January 11, 2010, |
| (USGBC), LEED certification allows independent, | | | | the fee is $900 for USGBC members and $1200 for |
| third-party verification that a building project must | | | | non-members. |
| meet for the highest green building and performance | | | | - Each LEED credit and prerequisite has its own set |
| measures. The types of buildings that can be LEED | | | | of requirements that must be completed during the |
| certified in California include, but are not limited to | | | | application process. The project team will select the |
| business offices, retail shops, service establishments, | | | | credits it is willing to pursue an assign the credits to |
| institutional buildings, hotels and residential buildings | | | | the team members. The team should start collecting |
| that have four or more habitable stories. | | | | information and perform calculations for the credits it |
| There are environmental and financial benefits to | | | | has chosen. Once all of the necessary documents |
| earning a LEED certification for a building. These | | | | have been completed, the team will upload the |
| benefits include: | | | | materials to the LEED website and start the |
| - Lower operating costs and an increase in the overall | | | | application review process. |
| value of the building. | | | | - Certification is the final step in the LEED certification |
| - A large reduction in the waste sent to local landfills. | | | | process and once the review is complete, the |
| - Conservation of energy and water. | | | | project team can either accept or appeal the final |
| - A qualification for tax rebates, zoning allowances | | | | decision. Finally, LEED certified projects will receive a |
| and other monetary incentives. | | | | formal certificate of recognition; information on how |
| - Healthier environments for occupants of the building | | | | to order additional certificates, photo submissions, |
| and those individuals who live in the area. | | | | plaques and marketing tools; information about how |
| - A reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. | | | | to be included in an online directory of registered and |
| Here are details about how to become LEED certified | | | | certified projects; and information on how to be |
| in California. For more details, please visit the USGBC's | | | | included in the U.S. Departments of Energy High |
| website. | | | | Performance Buildings Database. |
| - First, you must pay the mandatory registration fee, | | | | |