Can the purchase of environmental attributes be used to improve the Cost PCI points?
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NC-v4.1 EAc2: Optimize Energy Performance
See LEEDuser’s guidance on NC-v4.1 EAc2 »
environmental attributes (e.g. REC’s) retained
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5912 thumbs up
September 8, 2022 - 10:38 am
No. Only on-site renewables count.
Martin Maribo
Senior Sustainability ConsultantRambøll Denmark
September 12, 2022 - 8:04 am
Hi Marcus,
In the expalnation of requirements in EAc-Renewable Energy it says, under Tier 1:"On-site renewable energy generation, environmental attributes (e.g. RECs) retained"
And in EAc-Renewable Energy it says: "Tier 1 renewable energy may be accounted for in the cost metric and the GHG emissions metric in EA credit Optimize Energy Performance."
This has lead us to think that we can use environmental attributes to improve Cost PCI points.
But we are a bit confused...
Jamy Bacchus
Associate PrincipalME Engineers
26 thumbs up
September 12, 2022 - 12:49 pm
I would have to go back and re-read the language but purchasing RECs is not Tier 1. If you have on-site solar and retain the RECs, then you are Tier 1 and can count the kWh's and GHGs towards your EAc2 savings for both GHGs and energy cost (or source if you used the ACP). If you are just buying RECs, then you might be Tier 2 or 3.
This is directly quoting the credit:
Tier 1 renewable energy may be accounted for in the cost metric and the GHG emissions metric in EA credit Optimize Energy Performance.
Tier 2 renewable energy may be accounted for in the GHG emissions metric in EA credit Optimize Energy Performance.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5912 thumbs up
September 12, 2022 - 7:37 pm
I think Jamy has it right. The source of your confusion appears to be related to the retention of environmental attributes related to an on-site system as opposed to purchasing them outright not associated with an on-site system. Tier 1 is only for on-site systems. Purchasing RECs alone is not Tier 1.
Jamy Bacchus
Associate PrincipalME Engineers
26 thumbs up
September 12, 2022 - 10:57 pm
Martin,
I can't tell if the first comma has you tripped up. The bulleted list of Tiers and their descriptions has as you stated for Tier 1:
"On-site renewable energy generation, environmental attributes (e.g. RECs) retained"
That comma isn't part of a list of options. If it's helpful, try reading it with "with" in place of the ",":
"On-site renewable energy generation with environmental attributes (e.g. RECs) retained"
Note: there is a new beta v4.1 Reference Guide: Review the LEED v4.1 LEED BD+C: New Construction beta guide for additional guidance.