DENVER—Distribution facility developer ProLogis announced a new sustainability initiative that will require all of its development projects in the U.S. to comply with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) environmental standards. USGBC is a nonprofit group that promotes sustainable development.
Effective Jan. 1, the environmental initiative will apply to all new development as well as projects currently in the design or planning stages. ProLogis says it will register each building with the USGBC to be considered for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a national standard for environmentally responsible construction.
“ProLogis strives to be the market leader in all aspects of its industry, as demonstrated by the establishment of sustainable construction goals,” says Jeff Schwartz, chairman and CEO of ProLogis.
“By incorporating design elements for LEED certification for all our new distribution space in the U.S., we help to extend the lifetime of our buildings, ensure they perform to the highest standards of environmental construction, and provide our customers with distribution facility options that further their own sustainability agendas,” says Walt Rakowich, president and COO of ProLogis.
Currently, ProLogis is pursuing LEED certification for 3.5 million square feet in design or under construction. The company expects development this year to be similar to that of last year. In 2007, ProLogis facilitated the construction of 39 new buildings, totaling more than 11 million square feet.
“We see a growing preference among customers to lease space in buildings that have been developed with environmental efficiency in mind,” says Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction for ProLogis.
Additionally, ProLogis has trained all of its North American project managers on sustainability and U.S. Green Building Council LEED standards. So far, more than 25 have become LEED Accredited Professionals; the remaining associates are expected to achieve LEED AP status over the next few months, according to ProLogis.
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