Howard County Becomes 1st County In Nation To Be Designated LEED Platinum Community

HOWARD COUNTY, MD —Howard County has been designated as a LEED Platinum community - the highest designation possible - under the United States Green Building Council.

LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. The designation came after a review of Howard County’s environmental and sustainability programs, policies and investments covering 40 different areas, ranging from energy and greenhouse gas emissions performance to innovation, stormwater management and transportation and housing affordability.

Points were awarded in nine categories: energy and greenhouse gas emissions, water efficiency, materials and resources, innovation, natural systems and ecology, quality of life, regional priority, transportation and land use; and integrative process.

Howard County received 82 points out of 110, the second highest amount ever awarded in LEED version 4.1 for Cities and Communities, which is the current version of the rating system. It is also the first county in the U.S. to receive platinum certification under the rating system.

"This recognition is an acknowledgement of efforts we have undertaken to become the most sustainable community in the nation, such as dedicating ourselves to solar power, transit and electric vehicles, and building infrastructure to make walking and bike-riding easier. We have held ourselves accountable; we have a road map for moving forward. And we will continue to identify new places to lead and to make positive change for all," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Ball and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin announced the recognition late Wednesday.

“Howard County’s dedication to environmental progress is remarkable and I have fought hard to deliver several major pieces of recently passed legislation at the national level so that counties across Maryland can continue to make similarly significant strides toward their sustainability goals,” Cardin said. “The recent Inflation Reduction Act includes major incentives for homeowners to expand their use of renewable energy sources, re-envisioned the EV tax credit, and will reduce U.S. carbon emissions 40 percent by 2030. This historic investment sets our country on the right path for years to come.”

LEED for Cities and Communities helps local leaders create and operationalize responsible, sustainable and specific plans for energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life.