The United States Green Building Council released the 2015 list of the top 10 states for LEED. Illinois continues to lead the way in sustainable design, construction and transformation with 161 total LEED projects with 43,979,595 gross sq. ft. (3.43 per-capita certified).

Maryland (127 projects, 3.06 per-capita certified); Massachusetts (112, 3.03 per-capita certified); Washington (101, 2.60 per-capita certified); Colorado (95, 2.43 per-capita certified); Nevada (30, 2.42 per-capita certified); California (618, 2.34 per-capita certified); Texas (237, 2.09 per-capita certified); Virginia (121, 1.63 per-capita certified) and Utah (31, 1.63 per-capita certified) round out the top 10.

Federal territory Washington, D.C., does not make the list, but boasts 19.3 per-capita certified space.

The states in the top 10 were responsible for an 8% increase in the amount of certified space – 271.9 million sq. ft. in 2015 compared to 251.7 million sq. ft. in 2014. Washington, Nevada and Texas returned to the top 10 after a three-year absence. Utah made the list for the first time.

LEED Building Operations and Maintenance once again was the most popular rating system among the top 10 states, making up 49% of the total square footage certified in 2015. LEED Building Design and Construction was second at 46%, while LEED Interior Design and Construction was third with 5%.