To achieve 3 points in this credit in v4.1, our Core & Shell project recently submitted purchased REC's based upon 15% of the project’s floor area -- as per the 15% rule in v4.0 for Green Power and Carbon Offsets.
We were denied, much to our astonishment, stating the 15% rule does not apply in v4.1. Nowhere does any USGBC/GBCI literature state the change. GBCI says it is not a change, only that the 15% C&S rule doesn't apply...! And then also told that this was 'confirmed' by the Energy TAG group in January, (of which there are no public records).
[I vented and said: "This is exactly one of the issues that the LEED program suffers from – not only that it is a midstream alteration that affects a project years in the planning process, but that it is not publicly identified to the LEED community – at least that I can find."]
Question for this group: has anyone received an awarded credit in v4.1 Renewable Energy for a Core & Shell project using the 15% calculated energy rule?
Thank you.
Harry Flamm
Stantec Architecture
Boston
Gail Hampsmire
USGBC/GBCIJune 28, 2022 - 12:28 pm
LEED v4.1 published requirements relevant to energy usage have remained consistent since original publication (referencing total building energy use for all BD+C rating system adaptations, including Core and Shell).
The LEED v4.1 EAc Renewable Energy rating system language, and the LEED v4.1 BD+C Guide specifically indicate the basis for determination of the energy use to be used in the credit calculation:
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Rating system language:
v4.1 BD+C Guide, EAc Renewable Energy, Further Explanation:
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The LEED v4.1 EAc Renewable Energy credit combines v4 EAc Renewable Energy Production with v4 EAc Green Power and Carbon Offsets.
Note that the v4.1 credit name (EAc Renewable Energy), and credit requirements (referencing total building energy use) are more closely aligned with its v4 namesake (EAc Renewable Energy Production) than with v4 EAc Green Power and Carbon Offsets.
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If there are ambiguities with credit requirements, project teams are encouraged to seek clarification through GBCI Contact Us, LEED Coach, or similar. Note that USGBC / GBCI customer service responses have consistently referenced the published LEED v4.1 rating system requirements noted above.
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LEED v4 CS projects always have the option of reverting to LEED v4 Green Power and Carbon Offsets, with rating system language stating that "A core and shell building’s energy is defined as the energy usage of the core and shell floor area as defined by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) standards, but not less than 15% of the project’s floor area." However, as noted above, this language is not referenced in any version of the LEED v4.1 EAc Renewable Energy credit.