Jan. 17, 2008 -- Logistics firm ProLogis has pledged that all of its new distribution facilities in the United States will comply with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building standard. Under the program, all developments currently in the design or planning stage, as well as all future projects, will be registered to apply for LEED certification.

"We see a growing preference among customers to lease space in buildings that have been developed with environmental efficiency in mind," says Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction at ProLogis.

Adds company president and COO Walt Rakowich: "By incorporating design elements for LEED certification for all our new distribution space in the U.S., we help to extend the lifetime of our buildings, ensure they perform to the highest standards of environmental construction, and provide our customers with distribution facility options that further their own sustainability agendas."

ProLogis has offered LEED training to all of its North American project managers. So far, more than 25 have become LEED Accredited Professionals and the remaining associates are expected to achieve LEED AP status over the next few months, the company says.

ProLogis is now pursuing LEED certification for 3.5 million square feet currently under design or construction in the U.S. The company anticipates 2008 development to match that of 2007, during which it began new U.S. constructions totaling more than 11 million square feet, or 39 buildings.