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The city is working to increase the number of  U.S. Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) certified buildings in Santa Monica. The goal is to certify all new buildings eligible for LEED certification which are 10,000 sq. feet or larger, by 2010. Of these, 20% should attain LEED Silver, 10% Gold, and 2% Platinum certification, with the remainder categorized simply as “Certified”.  Further, 50% of new buildings smaller than 10,000 sq. feet shall obtain at least LEED certification or its equivalent by 2010. This target includes all municipal construction.   Refer to Santa Monica Green Building Program  for more information.

The Santa Monica Public Library received its LEED Gold certification this year.  The target is 100% of buildings greater than 10,000 square feet.  SMPL was one building in 29 greater than 10,000 square feet which was completed this year, or 3%. The cumulative percentage since tracking of this statistic began in 2003 is 10%, still far short of the target.  The reason for the drop from the previous two years (13% and 15% respectively) is that many fewer large new buildings were completed.

This year’s newest LEED Certified building Santa Monica Public Library features:
·● 100% renewable energy, including solar electric panels on the roof.
·● More than 50% of building materials contain significant recycled content.
·● Plants & Trees chosen for their reduced water, pest control and   maintenance needs.
·● “Low-flow”  Restroom faucets and toilets.
·● 200,000 gallon cistern, constructed under the building —  to hold & filter  rainwater runoff, keeping it from overburdening the storm water system — the  water stored is then used to irrigate the garden areas.

The LEED designation was introduced in 2000 and has steadily gained acceptance by the building industry as the national standard for evaluating and rating a building’s energy and environmental performance.  LEED was created to:

●Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement;
●Promote integrated, whole-building design practices;
●Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry;
●Stimulate green competition - raise consumer awareness of green building benefits;
●Transform the building market.

While the proportion of LEED registered buildings which were certified this year was down, eight projects are registered, showing hopeful signs for the adoption of this standard in the building community.

The number of LEED registered buildings in the City of Santa Monica is growing, and has expanded into the private sector. This year Santa Monica was home to the certification of the first in the nation pilot LEED “H” or Home project called LivingHomes.   There is also one certified LEED “CI” or Commercial Interiors project  this year, and two are registered.  The Ambrose Hotel is registered as a LEED “EB” or Existing Building project.

The table below summarizes the buildings greater than 10,000 square feet which are either certified or registered to be certified.