"No cooling tower" option removed

Paula, thanks for calling out this change.  I was in the pilot credit library yesterday and noticed this change for v4.1.  Do you know why 'no cooling tower' was removed as an option?

I appears that for v4 registered projects, no cooling tower is still an alternative compliance path for v4 WEc3.  Back in September I registered for both the v4 ACP and the v4.1pilot credit for the no cooling tower pathways.  I also copied the Sept 2020 pilot credit langage, documentation and survey questions at that time.  So our project will continue to use the v4 ACP for no cooling tower for our v4 project.

Thanks, Paula! 

Hi, I'm a bit confused as to the need to follow the v4.1 addendums if the project is registered under LEED v4. As mentioned in the latest LEEDUser infoletter, USGBC mentions that “Project teams must follow addenda published prior to their project’s registration date. It’s strongly recommended that project teams also follow addenda published after their registration date.”. But... does it still apply for credit substitution ? Am I allowed to only apply the addendum from v4.1 that were published before my project registration ? 

Ok I see the WEpc94 No Cooling Tower which is the Pilot Credit mentioned by Stephanie. I think it's the safest way to document that credit, to make sure the No Cooling Tower option is still applicable.  

Pricilla, note that this is considered an alternative compliance path for LEED v4 WEc3, even though it is in the Pilot library for v4. It is worth the full 2 points for WEc3.

You cannot additionally earn it for a Pilot credit if you use it for a v4 project, only if you use if for a v2009 project.

Pricilla, since you registered the project under v4 you have the option of using v4 compliance or v4.1 credit substitution compliance for almost any credit. 

Note that addenda changes are issued quarterly to amend, update or correct the rating system--the changes take effect on the date the addenda are issued.  USGBC does not reissue the whole rating system and reference guide with every change. Periodically, all addenda are compiled to update the rating system.  So when USGBC says Project teams must follow addenda published prior to their project’s registration date--you must adhere to the current rating system, with addenda, that were in effect on your registration date.

Let's say you register the project under v4 on December 3, 2020. The rating system and addenda current as of December 3, 2020 is your minimum requirement. 

You cannot use an earlier version of the rating system or addenda, for example, from June 2020, as it will not contain the most recent changes issued by recent addenda between June 2020 and December 3 2020. 

You are allowed to use any future rating system changes for v4 that are issued after December 3, 2020 if you choose.  You can also use v4.1 credit substitutions current as of December 3, 2020 (registration date) or issued after December 3, 2020.

I hope this helps and doesn't further confuse the situation.

Stephanie

Hello,
I also wonder why the option was removed, also from v4.1 through addenda, and I find no information on the topic to this day. Almost none of the projects have a cooling tower or evaporative condensers in our area, how are we to account for the 2 (3) points being lost due to this?
Shouldn´t the use of no cooling tower be rewarded same as 100% reduction?
Did anybody come across a solution, or do you know if it is being worked on?
Thanks in advance!
Azra