LEED Gets A Makeover! Americans Get Bored?

Yesterday, I received a press release from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announcing the new certification bodies for the LEED Green Building Rating System. These organizations are:

• ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc.
• BSI Management Systems American, Inc.
• Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
• DNV Certification
• Interek
• KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc.
• Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance, Inc.
• NSF-International Strategic Registrations
• SRI Quality System Registrar, Inc.
• Underwriters Laboratories-DQS, Inc.

This evolution in the certification process is part of a major update to the technical rating system which will debut in January 2009. Currently, all LEED project submissions are assessed by the USGBC and a panel of independently contracted reviewers. But the addition of the above certification bodies has ushered in a new, improved means of awarding green standards that is able to grow with the enviro-friendly movement.

Speaking of this said movement, I read a recent article online that discussed how 'going green' is turning into a fading trend in the United States. Some environmentalists warned that all of the eco-minded ad campaigns, media coverage, documentaries etc. would inundate the public consciousness in a good way, but eventually may "go out of style." Are we really as fickle about important issues (ie global warming) as we are about, say a tacky fashion trend or a pop song?

In such a consumer culture, probably so. But I sure hope not.