Normal's 2035 Report Pt 2

http://www.normal.org/files/sustainabilityplan.pdf
City of Normal 2035 Report Page 10.
"Normal gained prominence as the first city in the United States to require private developers to build to LEED standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). "


http://www.architectmagazine.com/green-building/promise-vs-performance-a-deeper-shade-of-green.aspx
The truth is, the effect of the rating systems like LEED on actual performance has not been scientifically determined...yet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/science/earth/31leed.html
The building’s cooling system, a major gas guzzler, was one culprit. Another was its design: to get its LEED label, it racked up points for things like native landscaping rather than structural energy-saving features

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-8577-leed-buildings-are-unhealthy-says-report/
“EHHI is especially concerned that the LEED program is now providing the false impression that the buildings it certifies protect human health. LEED’s highest rating, Platinum, is attainable without earning any credits for indoor air quality protection,”

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/5872/is-the-leed-program-a-fraud
The source of the debate is a study released a year ago that compared the energy performance of LEED-certified buildings with that of existing, noncertified buildings. The USGBC claims that the study shows LEED buildings to be 25% to 30% more efficient, but Henry says their methodology is flawed. According to him, the LEED buildings actually use 29% more energy than other buildings.

http://forms.iapmo.org/newsletter/green/2011/02/Gifford_amended.asp
According to the Gifford lawsuit:
1.  USGBC's false advertising causes consumers of building design and construction advice to utilize a LEED-certified professional instead of Plaintiffs because consumers mistakenly believe that LEED-certified professionals will design a LEED-certified building that is verified by a third-party to be more energy-efficient than the building that Plaintiffs would design;
2.  USGBC's false advertising causes consumers of building design and construction services to purchase the design and construction advice contained in the LEED certification system as opposed to purchasing Plaintiffs' design and construction advice;
3.  Dollars spent on LEED are dollars not available for more productive, performance-based designs like the ones designed by Plaintiffs.