April 28, 2021 -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED green building rating system, have announced Houston as one of 15 cities and counties that will commence certification in a national cohort supported by the LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program.
Bank of America partnered with USGBC to launch the Local Government Leadership Program in 2017 and has contributed more than $1.75 million to support 56 cities and counties in their pursuit of LEED certification. The program helps local governments committed to reducing climate change and advancing resilience and social equity by measuring and tracking performance using the LEED for Cities rating system.
“Climate action, resilience and equity are inextricably linked and the actions we take in these areas today will determine Houston’s trajectory in the future,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Joining the 2021 LEED for Cities program will leverage our ongoing efforts to improve equity, sustainability and resilience for all Houstonians and challenge us to continue to innovate, align, and communicate our progress.”
The City of Houston released the Resilient Houston Strategy and the Houston Climate Action Plan in 2020 the Houston Incentives for Green Development in 2019 and 10 Complete Communities Action Plans in 2018 and 2020 and is in the progress of implementing the goals, targets, and actions prioritized within these plans.
“Mayor Turner, the City of Houston, and many of our partners are leading local, national and global conversations on how to mitigate, adapt, and transform given the myriad climate change impacts that Houstonians have been experiencing for years,” said Marissa Aho, Chief Resilience Officer. “This program is another opportunity for Houston to lead.”
“LEED for Cities helps local leaders create responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council. “These 15 local governments are committed to finding solutions for health, sustainable and high performing, and using LEED as a tool to ensure they are on a path of continuous improvement. Along with our partners at Bank of America, USGBC looks forward to seeing what’s to come as we work to create a better world for everyone.”
The 15 local governments selected for the 2021 program represent more than five million Americans in diverse places around the country:
- Atlantic Beach, Fla.
- Billings, Mont.
- Claremont, Calif.
- Coral Gables, Fla.
- Durango, Colo.
- Hattiesburg, Miss.
- Houston, Texas
- Jupiter Inlet Colony, Fla.
- Kansas City, Mo.
- Long Beach, Cali.
- Pinellas County, Fla.
- Racine, Wisc.
- Tempe, Ariz.
- West Palm Beach, Fla.
- Wilmington, N.C.