The U.S. Green Building Council has opened the fifth public comment period for the proposed update, LEED v4, to its LEED green-building rating program. The comment period will close on Dec. 10. The ballot period is expected to open June 1, 2013.

The next version will include data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality, mid-rise residential, and existing schools and retail. It also includes more options for projects outside of the U.S., says USGBC.

The draft also gives up to 9 LEED points for using fewer and better materials.

Approximately 35 credits are included in the draft open for public comment. They have been revised in response to feedback from previous public comment periods. The aim is to further improve clarity, increase flexibility and options for project teams, and remove unsuitable requirements from previous drafts, says USGBC.

To view the drafts of LEED v4 visit www.usgbc.org/leedv4.