The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) ranked Nevada sixth nationally for 2015 for LEED green building per capita, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced on Tuesday.
The ranking was determined by analyzing each state’s square footage of LEED certified space per state resident. The list, now in its sixth year, serves to highlight states that have made significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation.
In 2015, Nevada certified 30 projects totaling approximately 6.5 million square feet of real estate, or 2.42 square feet per resident.
LEED construction in Nevada is expected to support 96,000 jobs and impact the state’s GDP by $8.55 billion from 2015-2018, according to data from the USGBC’s 2015 Green Building Economic Impact Study.
“This is another sign that Nevada is developing as a national leader in merging innovative technologies with practical and commercial application,” Sandoval said. “Building LEED-certified spaces will help our cities and communities grow in a smart, energy-efficient way and helps maximize the potential of the state’s thriving renewable energy industry. As Nevada’s population continues to rapidly increase, it is important that we integrate sustainable measures in our growth to ensure preservation of our precious natural resources. I would like to thank the many Nevadans who made obtaining these prestigious certifications a priority and thank the Council for spotlighting our state.”
LEED certified buildings and spaces use less energy and fewer water resources while saving money for families, businesses and taxpayers and reducing carbon emissions.