A February 18 Baltimore Sun article reported that Maryland now ranks second among the states for green building activity.

In 2013, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) said it approved 119 commercial or institutional projects in Maryland for certification under Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design or LEED standards, a total of 12.7 million square feet. That represents 2.2 square feet of LEED-certified real estate per resident, behind Illinois at 2.29 square feet per resident.  …

It is the first year since 2010, when the council started the list, that Maryland has made the top five. In 2011 and 2012 it ranked sixth, according to the USGBC.  …

The other top five states were Virginia (3), Massachusetts (4), and New York and California, which tied for fifth place.