# USGBC’s Top 10 States for LEED in Sustainable Building - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/usgbcs-top-10-states-for-leed-in-sustainable-building/ - Published: 2015-02-04T23:20:36-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Illinois Leading LEED State Illinois leads among all states for the second consecutive year. Then there are newcomers Georgia and [Arizona](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/10/how-phoenix-arizona-businesses-can-go-green/). Especially to show momentum with LEED in the South and Southwest Washington, D.C. — (Feb. 4, 2015) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual list of the Top 10 States for LEED, the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system, ranking states in terms of square feet of LEED space per state resident. The per-capita list highlights states throughout the country that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation. LEED-certified spaces use less energy and water resources, save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce carbon emissions and create a healthier environment for residents, workers and also the larger community. ![Leed hotel excellence source: intelligent building today](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/rsz_thinkstockphotos-83402617-300x225.jpg?resize= 300%2C225&quality=52&ssl=1) #### Green Buildings “Every story about a green building is a story about people,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. USGBC’s annual recognition of the Top 10 States for LEED goes beyond gross square feet or number of projects and factors in LEED’s potential in a given state to be part of the daily life of the state’s residents. This per- capita approach tells a great story about how LEED has become an important benchmark in the [transformation of the nation’s built environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/06/milliontreesnyc-transforming-new-yorks-environment/). LEED certified buildings and the innovations they have driven contribute substantially to our national economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life in the communities where they are found. We commend the business and community leaders, policy makers and green building professionals in each of these states for making the commitment to create a healthier, more sustainable future.” #### U.S. Census Data Now in its fifth year, the per-capita list is based on 2010 U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects that were certified throughout 2014. Illinois retained its top national position for the second year in a row, with 174 LEED certifications representing 3.31 square feet of LEED-certified space per resident. Two newcomers to the list, Georgia and Arizona, show that 2014 was a year of major growth for LEED in the South and Southwest regions of the country, while the continued strong performance of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia have helped the mid- Atlantic region remain the epicenter of green building across the country. Washington, D.C., which is not included on the official list of top states due to its status as a federal territory, is notable as it continues to lead the nation with 29.44 square feet of space per resident certified in 2014. Maryland and Virginia finished third and fourth respectively, and both states increased their per capita totals to 2.70 and 2.33 square feet of LEED space per resident in 2014. #### 2014 List 2014’s list had the highest average (2.34) of per capita space certified per resident per state since 2010, and the second highest average to date. Six of the eight states( IL, CO, MD, VA, MA and HI), which were also on the list in 2013, increased the amount of square feet of space they certified per resident in 2014. Illinois and Colorado are the only two states to make the list every year since 2010. #### A sample of notable projects that certified in these states in 2014 include: _**Illinois**: The Aon Center, a 3.2 million-square-foot tower in Chicago owned by Jones Lang LaSalle, LEED Silver_ _**Colorado**: Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Morgridge Family Exploration Center in Denver, LEED Platinum_ _**Maryland**: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Building 26 in Greenbelt, LEED Gold_ _**Virginia**: University of Mary Washington’s Technology Convergence Center in Fredericksburg, LEED Silver_ _**Massachusetts**: Winchester Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Center in Winchester, LEED Gold_ _**Hawaii**: City Financial Tower in Honolulu, LEED Gold_ _**California**: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, LEED Gold_ _**Georgia**: The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, LEED Silver_ _**Minnesota**: Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis, LEED Gold_ _**Arizona**: Arizona State University Health Services renovation in Tempe, LEED Platinum_ _**New York**: Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, LEED Platinum_ Sources: U.S. Green Building Council and the U.S. Green Building Council [usgbc.org/LEED](https://new.usgbc.org/leed) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)