Outside of the US

If the hydro plant does not match Green-e criteria (does not have to be certified necessarily as long as the criteria is met) then RECs are the only option. Yes, Renewable Choice Energy, based in the USA - one of the many REC providers - says a project could easily buy their RECs for a European, or anywhere in the world, projects. - Gunnar, Principal, Fore Solutions

Hi Pia! We would be happy to put together a quote for your international LEED project if you are still looking to purchase RECs for EAc6! Please let me know! lmalone@renewablechoice.com

for international LEED project located in Hong kong, i'm trying to achieve this credit with landfill gas but the company does not have e-cert. Is there a way for to achieve this credit or is it possible to achieve a credit under innovative design?

Hi Billy, You can use certain carbon offsets from local renewable energy projects to fulfill the requirements of this credit. We have an extensive portfolio of credits in APAC. Our clients in the region prefer this approach because it allows them to invest in renewable energy ‘closer to home’ rather than investing in US based RECs. I’d be happy to provide a quote and put you in touch with our team in the region. Mark.lacroix@carbonneutral.com

Billy, I don't know of a way for you to earn this credit without a Green-e certification for the landfill gas. An innovation credit would also not be an option, because an innovation credit has to cover something that's not covered by an existing LEED credit. In this case, green power is covered by EAc6.

Hi Billy- I agree with Tristan. The LEED CS 2009 Green Power credit requirements state specifically to: Engage in at least a 2-year renewable energy contract to provide at least 35% of the core and shell building’s electricity from renewable sources, as defined by the Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e Energy product certification requirements. An additional ID credit can be achieved by offsetting 70% of the core and shell building's electricity as well. Please let me know if I can help out or put any quotes together for you! lmalone@renewablechoice.com Lana

Hi Lana, In the LEED 2009 BD&C Reference Guide, 'Exemplary performance is available to projects that purchase 100% of their electricity from renewable sources;' Could you please clarify the 70% mentioned above, is it Version 2.2? Thanks, Anu

Hi Anu, There is actually an addenda that states 70% should be used to achieve the exemplary performance credit- see page 21 at this link: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6392 Let me know if this helps! Cheers, Lana