A new initiative called green|spaces is about to open its doors to Chattanooga’s design and construction industry. The three-year project, headed by Anj McClain and Jeff Cannon, will provide resources on environmentally responsible building and design and also give incentive funding to cover costs for LEED certification and other green building practices. The project’s offices serve as an outstanding example of green building features.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED-certified buildings are awarded points based on several categories: use of materials, innovation, sustainability, water efficiency, quality of the indoor environment, and energy. There are also levels of certification, from “certified” through Silver, Gold, and Platinum ratings, which are part of the points system. The USGBC also certifies individuals as LEED Accredited Professionals, persons who have passed an exam demonstrating their knowledge of the LEED system and can facilitate the rating of buildings.

Anj McClain is a LEED AP, and as she showed me around the green|spaces offices at 63 E. Main, I recognized how the building’s renovation had met the LEED standard in every category. Read more at The Pulse Chattanooga.