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FAQs about EAc4 :

We are purchasing green power through the local utility but it is not able to provide or sign a two-year contract because of restrictions applied to the utility. Can we still meet the credit requirements with our current purchased green power covering the

We’d like to wait to pursue the option for off-site renewable energy until after the results of the preliminary review. Is it ok to pursue this credit after the preliminary review is complete or as an appeal should we need additional points?

What time period do purchased RECs and offsets need to cover? Do we need to cover the performance period plus an additional two years after that?

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EBOM-2009 EAc4:On-Site and Off-Site Renewable Energy

off-site renewable with local utility

We currently participate in our natural gas utility provider's off-set program and off-set all of our natural gas usage. When we called the utility provider to ask if we could sign a contract to commit to purchasing these off-sets for two years they told us that they were unable to do that due to the tariff rules they follow. They said that they would be willing to sign a memo stating that we both agree to participate in the program for years, but it would not be legally binding. So in all reality it would make just as much since for us to submit a memo or letter to LEED stating our intent and commitment to purchasing off-sets for 2 years. Is this good enough? I would hate switch from supporting our local utility provider just b/c LEED wont allow anything but a contract. Thanks for your input.

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Tue, 02/07/2012 - 13:31

This sounds reasonable to me, and the two-year contract requirement really is not set up to accomodate utility offset programs as well as third-party offset providers. The reference guide states that: "At the time of application, off-site energy and offsets must have actually been purchased for at least the performance period. Contracts or commitments for future purchases can mee the remainder of the 2-year requirement." I'd interpret this to mean that a commitment memo is an acceptable method of meeting the 2-year criteria.

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