10.13.2008 — The telecom installation association BICSI is working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop strategies for the recognition of technology infrastructure-related credits in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification system.

The group recognized in the spring that there are no technology credits for LEED, which covers both commercial and residential construction.

The six environmental categories of review include:

• Sustainable Sites
• Water Efficiency
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Materials and Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Innovation and Design

Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category.

BICSI representatives met with USGBC’s Brendan Owens, vice president of LEED Technical Development, to create an awareness that the information transport systems (ITS) industry manufacturers and contractors have products and processes that could apply for LEED credits, if technology credits were a part of the existing LEED rating system.

“We recognized a long time ago that there were no technology credits for LEED,” says Hansen. “We are responding to requests from our membership to respond to this issue.

"There are various manufacturers that are producing green-friendly products and have processes in place such as technology, recycling and green friendly packaging that could apply for LEED credits, but don’t because there is no placeholder within the current system for it.”

Owens agreed with BICSI’s concern, so he requested BICSI create a consortium consisting of industry representatives in order to create the necessary technology credits for LEED. The consortium consists of several BICSI members, along with members of the TIA and InfoComm.

The members of the consortium have already made comments on the existing system where possible technology credits could be included in the Innovation and Design section of the 2009 LEED rating system.

The next meeting will be held at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston, Mass., in November, where the consortium will begin working on the technical writing of these valuable technology credits.