Green building comes to DC.

The District of Columbia passed legislation in December 2006 that makes it the first major city to require private developers to follow the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. Under the law, district-funded commercial and housing projects beginning in 2008 must meet LEED standards. All commercial structures of 50,000 square feet or more must meet the standards by 2012. Separate standards for schools, still being developed by the council, are also to be adopted. Washington's new baseball stadium is already being built in compliance with LEED standards.