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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched LEED v3, the latest version of the USGBC's program for green building design, construction, operations and maintenance, which will be put into effect next week. All construction projects seeking certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, will have to adhere to these new standards.

As part of the program's improved oversight, USGBC will collect data from building owners to monitor the property's actual performance, and to help improve future versions of LEED. Under the new guidelines, building owners are required to submit annual data reporting both energy and water usage to qualify for recertification every two years. Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, said it "will bring to light external issues such as occupant behavior or unanticipated building usage patterns, all key factors that influence performance."

So what cities are at the fore of LEED development? The Miami Herald took a look at the top ten green U.S. cities this week, analyzing air and water quality, waste and recycling management, percentage of LEED-certified buildings, greenspace, renewable energy sources, and access to green lifestyle choices -- here are there top ten:

1. Portland, Oregon

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