Hi, related to LEED 4.1 NC Energy and Atmosphere requirements: When purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and/or carbon offsets, there is a one-year term option and a fifteen-year term option.
It is required that "Tier 3: Off-site renewable energy that is produced by a generation asset(s) built within the last 5 years or contracted to be operational within one year of building occupancy". Can I purchase vintage 2020 RECs for the entire 15-year term or does each vintage year need to coincide with the Reporting Year of the term?
Also, are both RECs and carbon offsets to be sourced from the country of the LEED project location? If so, do grid-connected countries qualify (i.e. - Thai I-RECs for a Singapore LEED project)?
Andrea Vickers
1 thumbs up
July 6, 2022 - 1:41 pm
Hi Britt, did you find answers to your questions? I am looking into the same issues. Thanks.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
July 15, 2022 - 11:33 am
It appears that you are looking at an older version of this credit language. See the latest here - https://www.usgbc.org/leed/v41#bdc
You can purchase 2020 RECs for the entire term under Tier 3. RECs/offsets must be purchased from the same country or region where the LEED project is located.