With all the talk about LEED and supposedly its impending future take up more widely, its probably worth asking a few questions about the process and the actual value , and (structural) integrity of the LEED system and of the USGBC.
Here is one critical viewpoint and, (perhaps) a valuable counterpoint to all of the hype by industry surrounding the greening of our industries.
I know in NZ last year there was a push by the ruling administration to remove incandescent bulbs form the market before the end of 2009 (in practical terms). They had not provided the manufacturers with the appropriate time to fix the problems associated with a lot of the fittings for things such as CFLs and some fires were noted. Similarly, in the US, this has been a problem I have noted (ands presumably is so in Canada ?).
In NZ the new semi conservative "National Party" administration voted in last November, has scrapped the program at least for now.

So, since we have a NZGBC (open to corporate members only !!! -= lot of use that is to really promote the issues ! doh!) and ultimately, LEED might make it this far, (yeah maybe Ecotect will one day as well !), zooming out and having a different viewpoint to the hype seems worthwhile.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...eedwashing.php

any comments ?
trombe