Date
Inquiry

This project is seeking an ID credit for green power purchasing. If the requirements in LEED-NC Credit EA 6: Green Power requirements are met, can 1 ID point be awarded? The requirements include a 2-year renewable energy contract to provide a minimum amount of electricity from renewable sources, as defined by the Center for Resource Solutions\' Green-e Energy product certification requirement. In the case of LEED-NC, 1 point requires 35% of the electricity to be purchased. Tenants would purchase electricity directly from the utility as usual. The developer would purchase in bulk at one time green-e Tradeable Renewable Certificates equivalent to the entire building\'s predicted electricity use (based on modeled numbers) for a determined period of time. This is the strategy that has always been used by projects located in areas where green power is not directly available from a local utility. We\'re essentially purchasing a set amount of capacity from the national \'green\' grid. We would propose to purchase credits for at least 35% of electricity needs (based on our completed energy model) for 2 years, per LEED NC v2.2 Credit 6 requirements. Can credit be awarded for meeting this requirement? What percentage of the total electricity must be purchased in order to earn 1 ID point?

Ruling

No credit may be received for green power purchasing. Although no credit may be awarded, projects are encouraged to purchase green power.
Updated 10/1/13 for rating system applicability.

Internationally Applicable
Off
Campus Applicable
Off