I would be interested in knowing if any LEEDUser out there has had a project successfully earn the PBT avoidance credit. What were the challenges and barriers? How knowledgeable were the reviewers? Given the energy with which manufacturers have long impeded the progress of such a credit, I can't see this credit ever getting successfully balloted. Also, you may have heard about the recent study showing the hefty weighting imbalance of energy efficiency strategies over human health protection: http://www.ehhi.org/reports/leed/LEED_report_0510.pdf
Thoughts? Marian
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Mara Baum
Partner, Architecture & SustainabilityDIALOG
674 thumbs up
July 14, 2010 - 1:12 pm
The pilot credits are relatively new, and the PBT credit is one that takes a lot of planning -- I would be surprised if any projects have gone through the full process on this one, unless they're really small. This credit grew out of Green Guide for Healthcare credit MRc4.1 PBT Elimination: Dioxins, for which many projects vetted the plastics issues. The biggest challenges I faced with the GGHC credit were the availability of acceptable, high performing alternatives and, where alternatives do exist, the added cost. (Of course, there are also many relatively easy, cost neutral alternatives that we should always consider.)
Unlike the GGHC credit, however, the LEED credit also includes flame retardants. I think this will be a far greater challenge than plastics, given the regulatory challenges (especially in California) and the need to avoid polystyrene insulation.
Also unlike the GGBC credit, the LEED credit requirement is based on a percentage of total material cost. This completely changes the all or nothing nature of the GGHC credit, and it puts emphasis on the relative costs of different types of building materials. For example, if PVC pipe is relatively cheap, then we're less likely to seek an alternative.
I see this as a very important, albeit difficult, credit and am looking forward to seeing its future direction. Unfortunately, though, I don't currently have a LEED 2009 project for which it's well suited.
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
July 14, 2010 - 1:43 pm
Yes, indeed it's a challenge; I've been involved with the PVC issue for many years now and would like to see some significant changes. As well, I am very aware of alternative materials, so that's not the main barrier from my perspective, I know the mechanics. I'd like to know what GBCI's responses to this credit submittal have been (see my previous post). I have to wonder how far the reach is of industry influence (controversial statement). PVC avoidance has been around, actually, for awhile and there are a couple of great international models for this type of credit we could mirror--Australia's GreenStar, for example. PBT avoidance, globally, has EU models, but these were generated by policy changes that would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to enact or adopt in the US. Sorry for the soapbox--fitting that this is Bastille Day, eh? Again, it would be great to hear of some projects, no matter how small (we have many) that have successfully maneuvered the GBCI review process for this pilot credit.
Mara Baum
Partner, Architecture & SustainabilityDIALOG
674 thumbs up
July 14, 2010 - 1:46 pm
Agreed. I am especially interested in seeing how teams balance different material options for the cost calculation, especially with respect to fire retardants. (As you say, we know a lot more about PVC avoidance.)
Other than very small projects, I think it will be a while before we hear back from project teams who have fully completed this.
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
July 14, 2010 - 1:47 pm
Thanks Mara-I'll keep my eyes peeled......
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11474 thumbs up
August 20, 2010 - 12:41 am
Marian, I carefully reviewed the EHHI study and talked with several of the players, and wrote an article, New Report Criticizes LEED on Public Health Issues, on BuildingGreen.com (a sister site to LEEDuser).I think it puts the report in context. Please let me know if you have any thoughts.