GSA Moves to LEED Gold Standard for All New Federal Buildings

November 3, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is upgrading the requirement for new federal building construction from LEED Silver to LEED Gold certification. The new requirement will also apply to substantial renovation projects. GSA announced on October 28 that the higher rating would be reflected in GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service by the end of calendar year 2010. GSA uses the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or “LEED”, Green Building Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council to evaluate and measure achievements in sustainable design. For projects funded prior to FY 2010 that are now being designed, GSA is requiring that LEED Gold prerequisites and other specific requirements be incorporated into ongoing designs whenever possible after considering budget and schedule constraints