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EBOM-2009 SSc4:Alternative Commuting Transportation

Alternative Commuting

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Aron Weis
Energy Manager
Architect of the Capitol - OSP
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Does the fact that 80% of the people in the building I am evaluating for LEED-EB have FlexFuel cars help? Even if they do not use FlexFuel (Ethanol 85)?

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Tue, 03/13/2012 - 00:09

I think this hinges on the ACEEE Greenscore of the FlexFuel vehicles in question, as the Greenscore governs which single occupant vehicles can contribute as alternative trips.
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Aron Weis
Energy Manager
Architect of the Capitol - OSP
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 12:15

But is not the ACEEE score related to low emissions or fuel efficient vehicles and NOT Alternative Fuel (FlexFuel) vehicles as described in the credit language?...For the purposes of this credit, alternative transportation includes at a minimum, telecommuting; compressed workweeks; mass transit; walking; bicycles or other human-powered conveyances; carpools; vanpools; and low-emitting, fuel-efficient or alternative fuel vehicles. Low-emitting vehicles and fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that are classified as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the California Air Resources Board or that have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy annual vehicle-rating guide.
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Chris Marshall
Manager, LEED Technical Development
U.S. Green Building Council
LEEDuser Premium Member
123 thumbs up

Wed, 03/14/2012 - 18:55

Hi Aron. You're reply is correct: those FlexFuel vehicles will still need to meet the definition of low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. So, you'll need to verify if those vehicles score 40 or more points on the ACEEE annual guide. FlexFuel doesn't necessarily ensure that the car's emissions and/or fuel-efficiency are good enough to get in the door with this credit.
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Aron Weis
Energy Manager
Architect of the Capitol - OSP
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 17:23

Chris...I think you misunderstood my comment. Please re-read this credit's language as it distinguishes low-emitting vehicles and fuel-efficient vehicles SEPARATELY from Alternative Fuel Vehicles. It seems that it DOES NOT require AFV's have an ACEEE rating of 40 or better. The language says .....Low-Emitting, Fuel-Efficient OR Alternative Fuel vehicles. Then it defines Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient as having an ACEEE of 40 or more. So is having any Alternative Fuel Vehicle applicable to this credit?

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 17:53

I think Aron is correct. The credit requirement is to reduce commuting via single occupant, conventionally powered and conventionally fueled vehicles. If your building occupants are using alternative fuels, then you can count them as reducing conventional trips. If they have flex fuel vehicles but use conventional fuel, then they would not assist you in this credit. When you survey the commuters, ask which fuel they use most often.
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Aron Weis
Energy Manager
Architect of the Capitol - OSP
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 18:14

Susan, thanks. Funnily enough, I also see no requirement to use an the Alternative Fuel (E-85) during the performance period, just to have the capability. Regardless, as 75% of the tenants in this facility have Alternative Fuel capable vehicles, I will ensure they do use E-85. 15 points is a lot of points.

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 18:32

I think that you can use this survey/EB certification process to increase use of the E-85 fuel. You could do educational campaigns, regular emails, etc. that could impact occupant behavior.
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Dan Ackerstein
Principal
Ackerstein Sustainability, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
545 thumbs up

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 19:21

Aron, I think you are parsing the credit requirements language perhaps accurately but definitely overlooking the fundamental intent of the credit. If 75% of your tenants drive flex fuel vehicles using conventional gasoline (rather than the alternative fuel that the car is capable of using) have they done anything to 'reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use for commuting'? Pretty clear no. So the question isn't are the cars capable, its what did they do during the performance period. I feel pretty confident GBCI would agree. Amazing that you've got 75% of folks using those vehicles though - pretty unique. Dan
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Chris Marshall
Manager, LEED Technical Development
U.S. Green Building Council
LEEDuser Premium Member
123 thumbs up

Mon, 03/19/2012 - 18:50

My apologies for misreading Aron's earlier comment. I accidentally had LEED 2012 on my mind, the version in which we've removed recognition of alternative fueled vehicles but kept recognition of low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. I support Dan's assertion that merely having the capability of using alternative fuels doesn't completely fulfill the credit's intent. We (or, more precisely, GBCI) will need assurances that the alternative fuel is actually being used by those commuters. Aron - It sounds like you're on the right track if you're working to ensure that they are using E-85.
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Aron Weis
Energy Manager
Architect of the Capitol - OSP
LEEDuser Basic Member
10 thumbs up

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 19:08

Thanks Chris, that is my plan and I have the facility's senior management on board with ensuring E-85 is used during the performance period - an hopefully thereafter. By the way, drove by two gas station in VA yesterday, Premium Gas is $4.65/gallon. Regular is $4.35. Ouch.

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