We’ve noted before the long running arguments and public discussion about proposed changes to the LEED Certified Wood credits.  Now comes word from USGBC that the revised language of this very important LEED credit will undergo a 4th draft and public comment period.  I don’t ever recall a proposed LEED change requiring so many different drafts and obviously this speaks to the contentiousness of the issues at hand.

It may seem a trifle, all this arguing over a single LEED credit, but it’s important stuff.  Even the most aggressive and seemingly successful forest conservation programs like REDD are finding it enormously difficult to police what gets cut down and how. We need to bring all the tools at our disposal to bear on these issues and getting the balance right in the details of the LEED credit is important since it has the potential to drive the entire market and have, ultimately, a huge impact on our ability to mitigate climate change.  I’m glad the USGBC is taking the time to try and get this one right.

The new draft will be made public on June 14.  The 20 day public comment period will close on July 4.