What's It Worth to LEED?

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is the most recognized certification for green buildings and can attract media, funding, tax breaks and renters to development projects. But it’s not cheap.

Estimates suggest the cost of pursuing a LEED rating adds about 2% to most projects, or roughly $3 per square foot. The upside is these costs are recouped in energy savings over time, but some developers of smaller projects are choosing to go green without the certification.

So, what’s it worth? "A Green Question: To LEED or not to LEED ?" attempts to answer–in The Oregonian.