In a complaint on behalf of 'consumers, taxpayers, building design and construction professionals,' Henry Gifford alleges the USGBC has falsely claimed its ratings system leads to energy savings.
The class action suit asserts that the United States Green Building Council's intentional, fraudulent actions have harmed both building owners, who pay to have their buildings certified, and building and design professionals, who pay to receive LEED credentials. Environmental Leader says Gifford, the owner of Gifford Fuel Saving, is a longtime vocal critic of the LEED system.
However, attorney and LEED Accredited Professional Shari Shapiro questions whether Gifford has legal grounds to bring suit, according to Environmental Leader:
"[Shapiro] says as 'a general proposition, taxpayers do not have standing to sue,' and 'there is a commonality problem and a causation problem for the class–did the USGBC's false statements cause the same type of harm to the same type of plaintiff. Indeed, did the false statements cause any harm at all to these plaintiffs.'"
Read the full story: USGBC Sued Over False Advertising, Fraud
Ohio State Senators Want to Ban LEED
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Building Material Industries Lead LEED Backlash
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
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LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
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One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
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