Maryland shoots up the rankings from 6th place
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 18, 2014) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Maryland placed second in its ranking of the Top 10 States for LEED.
The list highlights the regions around the country leading the movement for sustainable building design, construction and operation. Utilizing less energy and water, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
"Here in Maryland, we’ve committed to developing and implementing environmentally smart building practices over the last seven years because green development saves money and is good for the environment," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "We’ve made tremendous progress, but there is still more work to do. By using LEED standards as a benchmark, we’ll continue to build on Maryland’s reputation as a leader in creating a greener, more sustainable environment for future generations."
“In the face of the extraordinary global challenge of climate change, our national imperative to create resource-efficient and cost-effective green buildings has never been greater,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Maryland has a strong base of dedicated individuals who are using LEED to transform its built infrastructure into high-performing spaces that promote the health of our planet and the people who use these buildings each and every day.”