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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
Green needed to go green
LEED certification costs up to $100,000 per building; price not a problem for Penn
Daniel Zinshteyn
As the University marches toward a sustainable future, Penn continues to make LEED certification a major initiative in its newly constructed buildings. But while institutions continue to strive for this goal, they are realizing that in order to build green, they must shell out some green in the process.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system established in 2000. In order to become LEED certified, a building must meet a checklist of sustainability features both in the construction and operation of the structure.
The cost of LEED certification, which may range between $30,000-$100,000, arises mainly from the bureaucracy in the certification process. The registration fee is less than $1,000, but the cost of keeping track of every aspect of construction accumulates.
"You have to have the contractor document everything," said University Architect David Hollenberg. That includes "where everything in the construction goes, where do they throw out the drywall. You have to pay them for the time they spend filling out these documents."
According to the LEED system, a building gets a point for sustainable initiatives, such as efficient stormwater management and renewable-energy use, up to a maximum of 69 points.
Buildings are then awarded silver, gold and platinum status according to how many points they acquire, with platinum status being granted to buildings with more than 53 points.
Hollenberg said the cost of LEED certification is dependent on the size of the project and the system in place for documentation but that it is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars for a University-scale project.
Penn officials said the cost hasn't deterred them from seeking LEED certification, but some institutions have considered alternatives to LEED, while others have avoided the process altogether.
According to Bob Francis, vice president of facilities at Drexel University, most colleges "pay attention to the principles of sustainability, whether we go for LEED or not."
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system established in 2000. In order to become LEED certified, a building must meet a checklist of sustainability features both in the construction and operation of the structure.
The cost of LEED certification, which may range between $30,000-$100,000, arises mainly from the bureaucracy in the certification process. The registration fee is less than $1,000, but the cost of keeping track of every aspect of construction accumulates.
"You have to have the contractor document everything," said University Architect David Hollenberg. That includes "where everything in the construction goes, where do they throw out the drywall. You have to pay them for the time they spend filling out these documents."
According to the LEED system, a building gets a point for sustainable initiatives, such as efficient stormwater management and renewable-energy use, up to a maximum of 69 points.
Buildings are then awarded silver, gold and platinum status according to how many points they acquire, with platinum status being granted to buildings with more than 53 points.
Hollenberg said the cost of LEED certification is dependent on the size of the project and the system in place for documentation but that it is usually in the tens of thousands of dollars for a University-scale project.
Penn officials said the cost hasn't deterred them from seeking LEED certification, but some institutions have considered alternatives to LEED, while others have avoided the process altogether.
According to Bob Francis, vice president of facilities at Drexel University, most colleges "pay attention to the principles of sustainability, whether we go for LEED or not."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jim Campbell
posted 4/08/08 @ 9:11 AM EST
Now, if Penn would just support a greener South Street Bridge, I think more of us would be happy. Developing green buildings is very important, however, university policies and initiatives also need to extend into the areas of transportation planning as well. (Continued…)
Mr. Green
posted 4/08/08 @ 9:56 AM EST
I think this is great. The absolute best thing you can do for the environment is to pay someone to say you are doing great things for the environment. (Continued…)
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