USGBC has opened the second public comment period on LEED 2012, the next version of the LEED rating systems. This public comment period is scheduled to run from August 1st to Sept. 14th.
As with the first public comment period, which opened in Nov. 2011, LEEDuser is here to provide guidance on key changes to LEED 2012 certification, and to provide an open forum for members of the LEED community to understand the changes and weigh in on them.
At USGBC's request, LEEDuser has set up a series of forums on the LEED 2012 draft. These forums are both a chance to register a public comment or comments on the draft, and a place to publicly discuss the draft. Questions and dialogue are welcome and encouraged! (If you prefer to send your comment to USGBC directly, see the link below.)
Please review the new draft of LEED 2012 and share your thoughts with the LEEDuser community and USGBC below!
LEEDuser's guide to key changes in LEED 2012, second comment
• Integrated Process (IP) (see below)
• Location and Transportation (LT)• Sustainable Sites (SS)• Water Efficiency (WE)• Energy & Atmosphere (EA)• Materials & Resources (MR)• Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)• Performance (PF)• Innovation (see below)
• Regional Priority (see below)
Key USGBC links
• Download LEED 2012 Rating Systems Drafts• Official Summary of Changes in LEED 2012 Draft
And now, our guide to key changes in the new LEED 2012 draft, starting with Integrated Process.
LEEDuser's Guide to the Integrated Process (IP) Section
The entire Integrated Process category remains as a new section (the first section of LEED—move over, SS). So does the first IP credit. The name of that credit has changed in this round, from “Integrated Process” to the more cumbersome Discovery – Analyses to Support Integrative Process (1 point). The new version of this credit is much more cleanly worded, and is organized by topic—Energy Load Reduction, Water Systems, and Site Assessment—instead of phase (for example, “Iterative Analysis during Conceptual Design). Teams would have to complete analyses in all three categories, and identify ways to reduce environmental burdens.
A new credit has been added to this section for the second public comment: Implementing Strategies (1 point). This credit appears to have been birthed when the lengthy requirements for the previous IP credit (now Discovery) were slimmed down. This credit focuses on two key requirements. The first is an analysis of synergies based on assessments performed during “discovery,” and comparison of at least two alternate designs. The second is a commitment to use of ongoing feedback mechanisms during building occupancy.
Despite a lot of feedback against the change during the first comment period, a relevant specialty is still required in the new language for the LEED Accredited Professional credit (1 point)—a change from LEED 2009. However, a new requirement that additional team members be LEED credentialed has been dropped.
Innovation (IN)
The Innovation credit isn’t significantly changed in the new LEED 2012 draft, although it is allotted 1–6 points rather than 1–5 as in LEED 2009. Even with that increase in emphasis, the Exemplary Performance path is allocated only 1–2 points (down from 1–3), while the Innovation path retains 1–5 points. A Pilot Credit Library option, which was not included in the first draft, is reintroduced and given 1–5 points.
As with the first draft, the LEED AP credit has been moved to the new Integrated Process section (see above).
Regional Priority
The draft includes some minor wording changes to the Regional Priority credit, but the overall intent and requirements are the same. As with LEED 2009, this draft allocates 1–4 points to Regional Priority.
[See the links above for similar guidance to changes in the other sections.]
What do you think of these changes to LEED 2012? Discuss below!
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