August 2003

An Introduction to the An Introduction to the

U.S. Green Building CouncilU.S. Green Building Counciland theand the

LEEDLEEDTM Green BuildingGreen BuildingRating SystemRating System

An Introduction to the An Introduction to the

U.S. Green Building CouncilU.S. Green Building Counciland theand the

LEEDLEEDTM Green BuildingGreen BuildingRating SystemRating System

Copyright 2003, U.S. Green Building Council

U.S. Green Building CouncilU.S. Green Building Council

The nation's foremost coalition of leaders The nation's foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. and healthy places to live and work.

The organization’s purpose is to:The organization’s purpose is to:• IntegrateIntegrate building industry sectors building industry sectors• LeadLead market transformation market transformation• EducateEducate owners and practitioners owners and practitioners

U.S. Green Building CouncilU.S. Green Building Council

National nonprofit organization based in National nonprofit organization based in Washington, DCWashington, DC

Diverse membership of organizationsDiverse membership of organizations Consensus-drivenConsensus-driven Committee-based product developmentCommittee-based product development Developer and administrator of the Developer and administrator of the

LEEDLEEDTMTM Green Building Rating System Green Building Rating System

What is “Green” Design?What is “Green” Design?

Design and construction practices that Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants in five broad environment and occupants in five broad areas:areas: Sustainable site planning Sustainable site planning Safeguarding water and water efficiency Safeguarding water and water efficiency Energy efficiency and renewable energyEnergy efficiency and renewable energy Conservation of materials and resourcesConservation of materials and resources Indoor environmental qualityIndoor environmental quality

Environmental Impactof Buildings*

Environmental Impactof Buildings*

• 65.2% of total U.S. electricity consumption 65.2% of total U.S. electricity consumption 11

• > 36% of total U.S. primary energy use > 36% of total U.S. primary energy use 22

• 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 33

• 136 million tons of construction and demolition 136 million tons of construction and demolition waste in the U.S. (approx. 2.8 lbs/person/day) waste in the U.S. (approx. 2.8 lbs/person/day) 44

• 12% of potable water in the U.S. 12% of potable water in the U.S. 55

• 40% (3 billion tons annually) of raw materials 40% (3 billion tons annually) of raw materials use globally use globally 66

* Commercial and residential* Commercial and residential

Benefits of Green BuildingBenefits of Green Building

Environmental benefitsEnvironmental benefits• Reduce the impacts of natural resource Reduce the impacts of natural resource

consumptionconsumption

Economic benefitsEconomic benefits• Improve the bottom lineImprove the bottom line

Health and safety benefits Health and safety benefits • Enhance occupant comfort and healthEnhance occupant comfort and health

Community benefitsCommunity benefits Minimize strain on local infrastructures and Minimize strain on local infrastructures and

improve quality of lifeimprove quality of life

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

Competitive first costsCompetitive first costs Integrated design allows high benefit at low Integrated design allows high benefit at low

cost by achieving synergies between cost by achieving synergies between disciplines and between technologiesdisciplines and between technologies

Reduce operating costsReduce operating costs Lower utility costs significantlyLower utility costs significantly

Optimize life-cycle economic performanceOptimize life-cycle economic performance

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

Increase building valuationIncrease building valuation• Using the income-capitalization method: asset Using the income-capitalization method: asset

value = net operating income (NOI) divided by value = net operating income (NOI) divided by the capitalization rate. If the cap rate is 10%, the capitalization rate. If the cap rate is 10%, multiply the reduction in annual operating multiply the reduction in annual operating costs by 10 to calculate the increase in the costs by 10 to calculate the increase in the building’s asset valuebuilding’s asset value

Decrease vacancy, improve retentionDecrease vacancy, improve retention Marketing advantagesMarketing advantages

Reduce liabilityReduce liability Improve risk managementImprove risk management

Productivity BenefitsProductivity Benefits

Improve occupant performanceImprove occupant performance• Estimated $29 Estimated $29 ––168 billion in national 168 billion in national

productivity losses per year productivity losses per year 11

• Student performance is better in daylit Student performance is better in daylit schools. schools. 2, 32, 3

Reduce absenteeism and turnoverReduce absenteeism and turnover• Providing a healthy workplace improves Providing a healthy workplace improves

employee satisfactionemployee satisfaction

Increase retail sales with daylightingIncrease retail sales with daylighting• Studies have shown ~40% improvement Studies have shown ~40% improvement 44

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company(West Bend, WI)

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company(West Bend, WI)

Leadership in Energy & Environmental DesignTM

Leadership in Energy & Environmental DesignTM

A leading-edge system for designing, A leading-edge system for designing, constructing, operating and certifying constructing, operating and certifying

the world’s greenest buildings.the world’s greenest buildings.

USGBC’s flagship rating system is USGBC’s flagship rating system is LEED for New Construction and Major LEED for New Construction and Major

Renovations (LEED-NC)Renovations (LEED-NC)

Why Was LEEDTM Created?Why Was LEEDTM Created?

Facilitate positive results for the Facilitate positive results for the environment, occupant health and environment, occupant health and financial returnfinancial return

Define “green” by providing a standard Define “green” by providing a standard for measurementfor measurement

Prevent “greenwashing” (false or Prevent “greenwashing” (false or exaggerated claims)exaggerated claims)

Promote whole-building, integrated Promote whole-building, integrated design processesdesign processes

Why Was LEEDTM Created?Why Was LEEDTM Created?

Use as a design guidelineUse as a design guideline Recognize leadersRecognize leaders Stimulate green competitionStimulate green competition Establish market value with recognizable Establish market value with recognizable

national “brand”national “brand” Raise consumer awareness Raise consumer awareness Transform the marketplaceTransform the marketplace!!

LEED-NCTM Market TransformationLEED-NCTM Market Transformation

*As of 08.11.03*As of 08.11.03

62 Certified Projects*62 Certified Projects*852 Registered Projects*852 Registered Projects*

113 M gsf* 49 States 9 Countries*

LEED-NCTM Market TransformationLEED-NCTM Market Transformation Registered Projects by State* - Top 10Registered Projects by State* - Top 10

*As of 08.11.03*As of 08.11.03

0

5000000

10000000

15000000

20000000

25000000

141 66 52 45 41 40 35 30 26 24

CA PA WA OR NY MA TX MI MD GA

State and Number of Projects

Gro

ss S

qu

are

Fee

t

LEED-NCTM Market TransformationLEED-NCTM Market Transformation Registered Projects by Building Type*Registered Projects by Building Type*

**As of 08.11.03As of 08.11.03

Assembly 2%

Recreation1%Other

3%

Industrial (manufacturing,

warehouse, pub. works)

4%

Interpretive Center

(museum, visitor center,

zoo)5%

K-12 Education

6%

Multi-Use20%

Commercial Office18%

Higher Education

10%

Multi-Unit Residential

3%

LEED-NCTM National ReportsLEED-NCTM National Reports Registered Projects by Owner Type*Registered Projects by Owner Type*

* As of 08.11.03* As of 08.11.03

Individual1%

Profit Corporation

28%

Local Government

27%Nonprofit Corporation

16%

State Government

12%

Other6%Federal

Government10%

LEED-NCTM in the USA LEED-NCTM in the USA

Federal Government Use:Federal Government Use:

General Services Administration General Services Administration (GSA)(GSA) LEED Certified projects beginning in 2003 LEED Certified projects beginning in 2003

U.S. Air ForceU.S. Air Force LEED Application Guide for LodgingLEED Application Guide for Lodging

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Adoption ofAdoption of LEEDLEEDTM TM (SPiRiT)(SPiRiT)

Department of StateDepartment of State Department of Energy (DOE)Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) (EPA) Grant for LEED Existing BuildingsGrant for LEED Existing Buildings

U.S. NavyU.S. Navy Grant for LEED ResidentialGrant for LEED Residential

LEED-NCTM in the USALEED-NCTM in the USA

State Government State Government Use:Use:

CaliforniaCalifornia MarylandMaryland MassachusettsMassachusetts New JerseyNew Jersey New YorkNew York OregonOregon PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

Local Government LEEDLocal Government LEEDTMTM UsersUsers

• Austin, TX Austin, TX • Arlington, VAArlington, VA• Boulder, CO Boulder, CO • Cook County, ILCook County, IL• Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA• Portland, ORPortland, OR• San Diego, CASan Diego, CA• San Jose, CASan Jose, CA• San Mateo, CASan Mateo, CA• Seattle, WA Seattle, WA

LEED-NCTM in the USALEED-NCTM in the USA

Global Use of LEED-NCTMGlobal Use of LEED-NCTM

World InterestWorld Interest• Australia Australia • Canada*Canada*• China*China*• FranceFrance• Hong Kong Hong Kong • India*India*• JapanJapan• Spain*Spain*

*Registered Projects

Diverse Owners and Buildings:Examples of Certified Projects

Diverse Owners and Buildings:Examples of Certified Projects

Technical Overview of LEEDTMTechnical Overview of LEEDTM

Green building rating system, currently for Green building rating system, currently for commercial, institutional, and high-rise commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential new construction and major residential new construction and major renovation.renovation.

Existing, proven technologiesExisting, proven technologies Evaluates and recognizes performance in Evaluates and recognizes performance in

accepted green design categories accepted green design categories LEED 3.0 product development includes LEED 3.0 product development includes

existing buildings, multiple buildings, core existing buildings, multiple buildings, core & shell, interiors, and residential& shell, interiors, and residential

Technical Overview of LEEDTM

(continued)Technical Overview of LEEDTM

(continued)

Whole-building approach encourages and Whole-building approach encourages and guides a collaborative, integrated design guides a collaborative, integrated design and construction processand construction process

Optimizes environmental and economic Optimizes environmental and economic factorsfactors

Four levels of certificationFour levels of certification• LEED CertifiedLEED Certified 26 - 32 points 26 - 32 points • Silver Level Silver Level 33 - 38 points 33 - 38 points • Gold LevelGold Level 39 - 51 points 39 - 51 points • Platinum LevelPlatinum Level 52+ points (69 possible)52+ points (69 possible)

LEED-NCTM Point DistributionLEED-NCTM Point Distribution

Water

Efficiency

8%Energy &

Atmosphere

27%

Materials &

Resources

20%

Sustainable

Sites

22%

Indoor

Environmental

Quality

23%

Five LEED credit categories

LEED-NCTM Certification ProcessLEED-NCTM Certification Process

A three step process :A three step process : Step 1:Step 1: Project RegistrationProject Registration

Welcome Packet and on-line project Welcome Packet and on-line project listinglisting

Step 2:Step 2: Technical SupportTechnical Support Reference PackageReference Package Credit RulingsCredit Rulings

Step 3:Step 3: Building CertificationBuilding Certification Upon documentation submittal and Upon documentation submittal and

USGBC reviewUSGBC review

Certification BenefitsCertification Benefits

Third party validation of achievementThird party validation of achievement Qualify for growing array of state and local Qualify for growing array of state and local

government incentivesgovernment incentives Contribute to growing knowledge baseContribute to growing knowledge base LEED certification plaque to mount on buildingLEED certification plaque to mount on building Official certificateOfficial certificate Receive marketing exposure through USGBC Web Receive marketing exposure through USGBC Web

site, case studies, media announcementssite, case studies, media announcements

Recognition of Quality Buildings and Recognition of Quality Buildings and Environmental StewardshipEnvironmental Stewardship

LEEDTM ResourcesLEEDTM Resources

LEED Green Building Rating SystemLEED Green Building Rating System Training WorkshopTraining Workshop Reference PackageReference Package Professional AccreditationProfessional Accreditation Welcome PacketWelcome Packet Credit Rulings Credit Rulings Website (www.leedbuilding.org)Website (www.leedbuilding.org) Email Email (leedinfo@usgbc.org) (leedinfo@usgbc.org)

For more informationplease visit

www.usgbc.org

For more informationplease visit

www.usgbc.org

Waterfront Housing

Waterfront Housing

A permanent commitment to sustainable affordable A permanent commitment to sustainable affordable housing on Burlington’s lakefronthousing on Burlington’s lakefront

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites

Pre-requisite: Prevent loss of soil during construction by storm water runoff and/or wind erosion, including protecting topsoil by stockpiling for reuse. Prevent sedimentation of storm sewer or receiving streams and/or pollution with dust and particulate matter. Erosion control plan conforms to EPA's Storm Water Management for Construction Activities, EPA Document No. EPA-833-R-92-001, or local Erosion and Sedimentation Control standards, whichever is more stringent.

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites

Credit SS 1.0 – Site Selection: Credit SS 1.0 – Site Selection: Avoid the development of Avoid the development of inappropriate sites (e.g. prime agricultural land, flood plains, inappropriate sites (e.g. prime agricultural land, flood plains, previous parkland, wetlands) and reduce the environmental impact previous parkland, wetlands) and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site. – 1 pointfrom the location of a building on a site. – 1 point

Credit SS 3.0 – Brownfield Redevelopment: Rehabilitate damaged sites where development is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, reducing pressure on undeveloped land. – 1 point

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites

1978

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites Credit SS 4.1 – Alternative Transportation: Locate building within 1/4 mile of a commuter rail, lite rail, or subway station OR1/4 mile of 2 or more bus lines. – 1 point

Credit SS 4.2: Provide suitable means for securing bicycles, with changing/shower facilities for use by cyclists, for 5% or more of building occupants. – 1 point

Credit SS 4.3: Install alternative fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total parking capacity of the site. – 1 point

Credit SS 4.4: Size parking capacity not to exceed minimum local zoning requirements AND provide preferred parking for carpools (2 or more occupants)/ vanpools capable of serving 5% of building occupants. – 1 point

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites

Credit SS 5.2 - Reduced Site Disturbance: Reduce the development footprint to exceed the local zoning's open space requirement for the site by 25%. – 1 point

Credit SS 6.2 – Stormwater Management: Treatment systems designed to remove 80% of the average annual post development total suspended solids and 40% of the average annual post development total phosphorus by implementing Best Management Practices outlined in EPA's Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Non-point Pollution in Coastal Waters. (e.g. - fossil filters in catch basins, constructed wetlands, vegetated filter strips). – 1 point

Sustainable SitesSustainable Sites

Credit SS 7.1 – Landscape and Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Island: Provide shade on at least 30% of non-roof impervious surfaces on the site, including parking lots, walkways, plazas. – 1 point

Credit SS 8.0 – Light Pollution Reduction: Do not exceed Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) footcandle level requirements AND design interior and exterior lighting such that zero direct-beam illumination leaves the building site. (e.g. must be full cut-off luminaires and no up-lighting) – 1 point

Total Sustainable Sites Points: 10

Water EfficiencyWater Efficiency Credit WE 1.2 – Water Efficient Landscaping: Use only captured rain water for at additional 50% reduction in potable water for irrigation needs OR do not install permanent landscape irrigation systems. – 1 point

Credit WE 3.1 – Water Use Reduction: Employ strategies that in aggregate use 20% less water than the water use calculated for the building (not including irrigation) after meeting the Energy Policy Act of 1992 fixture performance requirements. (e.g. waterless urinals). – 1 point

Credit WE 3.2: Exceed the potable water use reduction by an additional 10% (30% total efficiency increase). – 1 point

Total Water Efficiency Points: 3

Energy & AtmosphereEnergy & Atmosphere

Pre-requisite – Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning:Verify and ensure that fundamental building elements and systems are designed, installed and calibrated to operate as intended through best practice commissioning procedures.

Minimum Energy Performance: Design to meet building energy efficiency and performance as required by ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 or the local energy code, whichever is more stringent. Analyze expected baseline building performance using the System/Component Method.

CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment: Zero use of CFC- based refrigerants in new building HVAC&R systems.

Energy & AtmosphereEnergy & Atmosphere

Credit EA 1.1 – Optimize Energy Performance: Exceed the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 by 10%, demonstrated by whole building simulation (e.g. daylighting strategies, sensors, highly efficient equipment). – Energy savings more than 37.51% up to 42.5% - 6 points

Credit EA 3.0 – Additional Commissioning: Implement comprehensive best practice commissioning procedures which at a minimum includes third party quality control assurance.1 point

Total Energy & Atmosphere Points: 7

Materials & ResourcesMaterials & Resources

Pre-requisite – Storage & Collection of Recyclables: Provide an easily accessible area that serves the entire building that is dedicated to the separation, collection and storage of materials for recycling including (at a min) paper, glass, plastics and metal.

Credit MR 5.1 – Local/Regional Materials: Specify a minimumOf 20% building materials that are manufactured regionally within a radius of 500 miles. This is calculated by dollar value. – 1 point

Total Materials & Resources Points: 1

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Pre-requisite: Meet the minimum requirements of voluntary consensus standard ASHRAE 62-1999, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality and approved Addenda. (e.g. Locate building outdoor air intakes away from loading areas, building exhaust fans, cooling towers, and other sources of contamination).

Pre-requisite: Prevent exposure of building occupants and systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). Zero exposure of nonsmokers to ETS by prohibition of smoking in the building OR provide a designated smoking room designed to effectively contain, capture, and remove ETS from the building.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Credit EQ 3.1 – Construction IAQ Management Plan: Credit EQ 3.1 – Construction IAQ Management Plan: Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan such that during construction, meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National ECIs Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guideline for Occupied Buildings under Construction 1995 (applied to 5 areas: HVAC protection, source control, pathway interruption, housekeeping, and scheduling), AND protect stored on-site or installed absorptive materials from moisture damage, AND replace all filtration media immediately prior to occupancy. – 1 point

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Credit EQ 3.2 – Construction IAQ Management Plan: Credit EQ 3.2 – Construction IAQ Management Plan: Conduct a minimum two week building flushout with new filtration media at 100% outside air after construction ends and prior to occupancy, OR conduct a baseline indoor air quality testing procedure consistent with current EPA protocol for Environmental Requirements, Baseline IAQ and Materials, for the Research Triangle Park Campus, Section 01445. – 1 point

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQIndoor Environmental Quality (IEQ

Credit EQ 4.1 – Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives must meet or exceed the VOC limits of South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule # 1168, AND all sealants used as a filler must meet or exceed Bay Area Resources Board Reg. 8, Rule 51. – 1 point

Credit EQ 4.2: Paints and coating must meet or exceed the VOC and chemical component limits of Green Seal requirements.1 point

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQIndoor Environmental Quality (IEQ

Credit EQ 5.0 – Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control: Employ a permanent entryway system (i.e., grills or grates) to capture dirt, particulate matter, etc. from entering the building at all high volume entryways, AND provide areas with structural deck to deck partitions with separate outside exhausting, no air recirculation and negative pressure where chemical use occurs (including housekeeping areas and copying/printing rooms), AND provide drains plumbed for appropriate disposal of liquid waste in spaces where water and chemical concentrate mixing occurs.1 point

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQIndoor Environmental Quality (IEQ

Credit EQ 6.1 – Controllability of Systems: Provide a minimum of one operable window and one lighting control zone per 200 s.f. for all occupied areas within 15 feet of the perimeter wall – 1 point

Credit EQ 8.2 – Daylight and Views: Direct line of sight to vision glazing while seated from 90% of all regularly occupied spaces, not including copy rooms, storage areas, mechanical, other low occupancy support areas. – 1 point

Total IEQ Points: 7

Total LEED Points: 28 LEED Certified = 26-32, Silver = 33-38, Gold = 39-51, Platinum = 52 or more

Waterfront HousingWaterfront Housing

Waterfront HousingWaterfront Housing

Progress Photo - 12 September 2003

ResourcesResources

Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN)Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN)http://www.vgbn.org/

Building for Social Responsibility (BSR) and The Vermont Built Green (VBG) program

http://www.bsr-vt.org/

U.S. Green Building Councilhttp://www.usgbc.org

Efficiency Vermonthttp://www.efficiencyvermont.com/

Vermont Energy Investment Corporationhttp://www.veic.org/

ResourcesResources

Yestermorrow Design/Build Schoolhttp://www.yestermorrow.org/

Emerging Green Buildershttp://www.usgbc.org/Chapters/emerginggreen.asp

Environmental Building Newshttp://www.buildinggreen.com/

Environmental Design + Constructionhttp://www.edcmag.com/