Although there are currently 19 building projects in Puerto Rico that have obtained LEED Certification and another 80 are under development to meet the requirements of the standard, experts say that there is still much to be done in that country.
According to Carlos Rodríguez, a member of the US Green Building Council, in a local media outlet in that country, in Puerto Rico there is Law 229, the Green Buildings Law that seeks to promote "efficiency in the use of energy and water resources in new and existing buildings in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico." however, a true eco-friendly construction is hindered by the lack of rigor in the implementation of this law, says the expert.
In addition, another drawback is the need for each change of government to provide the necessary follow-up to projects designed under the environmental theme.
"The most important thing is to find a logical way to work on the requirements on the island because, by politics, with each change of government it is like a clean slate," explained engineer Carlos Rodríguez,
To obtain certifications such as LEED, subsequent follow-up in the sustainability steps is required, and these processes have not yet been established as law but as mere recommendations. "There is still a lot to do but we are on the right track," Rodriguez said.
