Ohio Law Would Ban LEED v4 on State Projects
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A ban on LEED v4 for state projects has been passed by the Ohio Senate and has moved on to the state legislature. Ohio follows other states, including Maine and Georgia, where use of LEED as a green building standard has been restricted by governmental action.

Governors in Maine and Georgia issued executive orders prohibiting use of the LEED standard  - the version prior to LEED v4 - in the belief that its embrace of the FSC wood certification program excluded smaller local forestry businesses that were certified under SFI and the American Tree Farm System.

The legislation before the Ohio Legislature, SCR25, would specifically prohibit LEED v4 in state projects, including schools, until LEED adjusts its standards, meanwhile using alternative standards. 

RESOLVED, That the LEED v4 green building rating system no longer be used by Ohio's state agencies and government entities until the USGBC conforms its system development to the ANSI voluntary consensus standard procedures as confirmed by ANSI or until the state, after an opportunity for public comment and participation, incorporates the LEED v4 system by reference, in whole or in part, into the administrative rules for state agency or government entity building standards; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Office of Energy Services within the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) immediately review, while taking economic growth and long-term operating and maintenance costs into account, the availability and suitability of alternative private sector green building rating systems, codes, and other standards that advance state energy efficiency and environmental performance objectives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the OFCC continue to incorporate energy efficiency and sustainable design features into approved school projects through the use of alternative green building rating systems, codes, and standards other than LEED v4; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the USGBC.

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