According to ed+c's report, the suit argues that USGBC is fraudulently misrepresenting energy performance of buildings certified under its LEED rating systems, and that LEED is harming the environment by leading consumers away from using proven energy-saving strategies.

My perspective: Other motives aside, the suit on its surface appears to be about the real energy performance of green buildings. On that point the plaintiff is not the first to criticize LEED.

What USGBC has done for green building is impressive. But its heritage is in materials. Energy points weren't even required at first, then a few easy ones. It's going to take a long time for USGBC to elevate energy efficiency above the level of nice-to-have on the list of possible LEED points. It should be impossible to get any LEED rating without achieving a well-above-average Energy Star benchmark score.

Modeling and benchmarking are great tools, and I've written much about them -- but neasurement and verification on an occupied building is the only true measure of its performance. The results might be embarrassing at first, but they're the key to progress.

"USGBC, LEED Targeted by Class Action Suit " ed+c Magazine