The U.S. Green Building Council has opened another public comment period on proposed updates to its LEED rating program. The public is invited to give feedback until Dec. 10.

USGBC officials say version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards reach new highs for efficiency, including setting aside nearly 20 percent of points for boosting energy conservation above the 2010 version of standard 90.1 from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

If approved, the new standards will do more to reduce carbon dioxide emissions than any other version of LEED, officials said.

"LEED v4 will have the greatest impact of any rating system we've developed by focusing on building performance and rewarding innovative product manufacturers who offer best in class products," said Scot Horst, the USGBC’s senior vice president for the LEED program. "LEED v4 will help change the way project teams think, integrate, plan, execute and operate their buildings.”

The proposed standard changes were carefully considered, Horst added.

“Engaging people is at the core of the LEED development process, and this draft reflects the thoughtful comments and recommendations we've received from over 21,500 stakeholders," he said. "LEED v4 raises the expectations for what LEED project teams are being asked to deliver. We will launch the LEED v4 beta testing period in November which will provide an additional opportunity to explore the new program inside and out, and help refine support tools and resource."

Drafts of the standard are available at www.usgbc.org/leedv4.