To achieve an environmental benefit, it is critical that fly-ash REPLACE cement content, not just be added as a filler. Adding fly-ash to a concrete mix without reducing cement content has only limited advantages to the environment. It is unclear from the question whether the project is actually off-setting cement use. The Credit Ruling Committee has suggested that a 40% REPLACEMENT of cement with fly-ash would qualify for an innovation credit. Lower levels of fly-ash use are more typical, and would not be considered innovative enough to warrant an innovation point. Note that there are many complexities of fly-ash use with respect to concrete strength requirements that factor into the discussion of what constitutes an innovation. Regardless of the percent used, fly-ash content would count toward MR Credit 4; Recycled Content Materials.Modification Note as of July 1st, 2012: The applicability of this LEED Interpretation has been modified to indicate that it is applicable to LEED 2009 projects. However, USGBC and GBCI will be phasing this Innovation strategy out. While this strategy is acceptable for LEED 2009 it will not be acceptable for LEED 2012 because the environmental benefit(s) of replacing cement with alternative cementitious material will be captured in available credits. Applicable Internationally.