I think you are going to find most constituents to be very pleased to hear this news. The market wasn't ready, design teams weren't ready, spec writers and manufacturers weren't ready, and owners were definitely not ready to fork over the added soft costs for LEED project administrators to research new credit requirements and ascend the learning curve.
My main concern with the previous timeline for v4 was that commercial building owners would look at it and decide there was no way they were going to ever pursue it. I think if this delay ultimately leads to greater v4 market adoption then it is the right move.
Let's not forget that progressive owners can still pursue v4 if they wish. In Massachusetts the state school building authority mandated LEED v4 on all new projects moving forward, so there will be a few of us getting our hands dirty and advancing v4 in the interim.
Brian Salazar
President, LEED AP, WELL APEntegra Development & Investment, LLC
56 thumbs up
October 29, 2014 - 10:26 am
Steven - Thanks for your note about MA schools adopting v4. I was unaware of this. Is the SBA requiring this of all schools in order to receive funding, or is this only to receive the additional 2% budget allowance for the green schools designation? Also, are they still recognizing CHPS as a preferred alternative to LEED?
Steven Burke
Sustainability Manager10 thumbs up
October 29, 2014 - 10:39 am
Hi Brian,
The requirement for all schools is to achieve LEED certified at a minimum; previously this was under v3, and as of July 2014 it is now under v4. The additional 2% reimbursement package is for achieving Silver. CHPS is still an alternative, though it is becoming less of a consideration in MA. Perhaps the requirements of LEED v4 will change that.
Brian Salazar
President, LEED AP, WELL APEntegra Development & Investment, LLC
56 thumbs up
October 29, 2014 - 1:44 pm
Steven - Thanks for your reply. Please tell Martine and Steve Vincent I said hello!
Christopher Schaffner
CEO & FounderThe Green Engineer
LEEDuser Expert
963 thumbs up
November 10, 2014 - 10:39 am
Two things:
1) MA-CHPS is no longer an alternative. It disappeared when the new MA energy code (IECC 2012) was adopted
2) Due to the USGBC's lack of confidence in V4, I hear rumors that the MSBA is considering relaxing the requirement to use V4.
Martine Dion
Director of Sustainable DesignSymmes, Maini & McKee Associates
November 10, 2014 - 2:08 pm
Chris,
I surely hope these rumors won't become reality and the politics won't get the MSBA regulations to go backwards. That is how I see the USGBC's move, making everyone go backwards - I am extremely disappointed once more. I totally agree with your comment about being 3 codes behind once we get to October 2016. Between ZNE becoming quite integrated in many projects and some interest with LBC, this could be quite damaging to the LEED brand in general. Let's work to keep v4 in MA Schools!!!
Brian, Hi!