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Considering registering a project for LEED Certification? Better do it before April 8^th, 2016!

The USGBC has approved an update to the LEED 2009 framework regarding Minimum Energy Performance. The baseline for Energy & Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 (EAp2) has been raised. Project teams must now achieve a minimum energy performance threshold equivalent to 18% reduction as compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. This is a 4% increase in the threshold for LEED prerequisite compliance and will undoubtedly have an effect on initial project team thinking and subsequent designs. This update will go into effect on April 8^th, 2016 and will only affect LEED 2009 projects registered between April 8^th, 2016 and October 31^st, 2016 (last day for LEED 2009 registration). Click here for a summary of LEED 2009 Energy Performance changes and updates.

This update comes at a time when the transition to LEED v4 is pending and the marketplace is still grappling with the implications of a more stringent version of LEED. This update to the 2009 framework is most likely a way for the USGBC to ease the transition into the v4 framework and subsequent energy requirements, while still allowing project to register under LEED 2009 during the prolonged roll-out of v4. Stay tuned for more information on LEED v4 and the implications of the impending transition!