LEED Class-Action Lawsuit Dismissed 

A New York federal court on Aug. 15 dismissed the class action lawsuit filed against the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The suit alleged that the USGBC concealed data showing poor energy performance by some LEED-certified buildings and deceived consumers, building professionals and jurisdictions by advertising that LEED certification results in reduced building energy consumption. It also claims LEED unfairly placed non-LEED practitioners at a competitive disadvantage.

The dismissal hinged on technical grounds, however, and not on the merit of the claim with the court finding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. Despite the dismissal, the lawsuit illustrates the growing concerns over unsubstantiated green claims as well as green building performance problems.

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