Lawsuit Takes Aim At LEED Certification

It's politics.

Another frivolous lawsuit! When will it ever end? <rhetorical>

I doubt very seriously that it is a frivolous lawsuit. It takes aim at some serious flaws within the system and calls into question the "study" that shows whether LEED actually saves energy. In their own study, the results were skewed to get the results they wanted (or needed) to keep the flock at bay. However, when compared apples to apples and oranges to oranges, their own study showed the LEED buildings used 33% MORE energy than non-LEED buildings. Now if they are (and they are) out there stating the LEED buildings use less energy than non-LEED buildings, that is deceptive practices and misleading. Mr. Gifford should be commended for calling them to task on their marketing practices and asking them to use truth in advertising. Many people are relying on their information and making a lot of many from it. If it is wrong, and people lose contracts over it, then they should be able to recoup losses.

Read the lawsuit, call USGBC and ask for their study then call Mr. Gifford and ask for his study. Compare them and judge for yourself. Don't assume it's frivolous until you have read the facts and the merits of the case.