LEED Platinum Community Emergency Services Station. Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
New research confirms LEED helps the government save taxpayers money and meet environmental objectives.
 
Today the Department of Defense released the findings of an independent report on energy efficiency and sustainability standards used by the Pentagon for military construction. The report strongly affirmed the value of LEED certified high performing buildings to America’s military and U.S. taxpayers.

The following statement can be attributed to Roger Platt, Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Law, U.S. Green Building Council.

“LEED has played a significant role in reducing energy and water bills in public sector buildings across the country, saving taxpayers money and contributing to the nation’s security. This important new independent study from the National Research Council concludes that the LEED Green Building Rating System should continue to be used in Defense Department buildings to advance energy efficiency in construction and reduce operational costs.

Using LEED at Pentagon installations is a win-win proposition for the country and for the military personnel these buildings serve. While the study looked only at energy efficiency, LEED is a proven tool for also saving water, reducing waste and improving indoor environmental quality benefitting the health and well being of building occupants, and certainly our military personnel deserve no less.

By using LEED, the Department of Defense is able to cut costs responsibly without endangering our nation’s military readiness. The LEED green building rating system is a critical tool for the Defense Department’s past, current and future energy savings.”