The USGBC is now accepting public comments for LEED 2012. The fourth public comment period is open until May 28 at 11:59 pm EST.

On June 1, following the conclusion of the fourth comment period, the ballot period for USGBC members will commence. Balloting will run through June 30, and is open to all USGBC members who opt into the LEED 2012 consensus body by May 1. USGBC members must be in good standing from March 1 through the conclusion of the balloting period to be eligible to vote in the LEED 2012 ballot.

Updates to this latest version of the LEED green-building program are most notable in three main areas, according to USGBC. These are the expansion of the market sectors able to use LEED, technical changes meant to increase the thoroughness of the rating system, and revised credit weightings that better align the point distribution with the expressed needs of the USGBC community.

For more information, see ECO-STRUCTURE’s recent interview with USGBC senior vice president Scot Horst, and visit usgbc.org.

This article was originally posted on April 18, 2012 and has since been updated.