IntroducingConnecticut LEED Program

for Green Buildings

Presented by John Guszkowski, AICP, LEED-AP

What is the USGBC?

USGBC is an acronym for the United States Green Building Council.

• A Non-Profit Coalition started in 1993• Over 18,000 member companies and organizations belong to USGBC• Provides leadership to promote “Green Building” practices• One of many green building standards – has most cache

What is “GREEN BUILDING”?

Green Building is the practice of using resources and methods to create sustainable environments.Some of the elements of Green Building are:• Appropriate Siting and Footprint • Use of Recycled, Natural and/or Local building / landscaping materials• Energy and Water Efficiency• Implementation of Sustainable Practices• Indoor Environmental Quality

LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

It is a nationally-recognized rating system that measures energy and performance efficiency, environmental health and sustainability.

It addresses today’s important challenges:• Global Climate Change• Dependence on Non-Sustainable Energy sources• Threats to Human Health

What is LEED?

LEED for New Construction, Core, Shell, and Schools

• Scoring system– 100 Base Points– 6 “Innovation in Design”– 4 Regional Priority

• Levels of Certification– Certified 40-49– Silver 50-59– Gold 60-79– Platinum 80+

Program Components

• Sustainable Sites

• Water Efficiency

• Energy and Atmosphere

• Materials and Resources

• Indoor Environmental Quality

• Innovation in Design

• Regional Priority

Key Program Components

• Construction Activity Pollution Prevention• Environmental Site Assessment

• Site Selection• Development Density and Community Connectivity• Brownfield Redevelopment• Alternative Transportation• Site Development• Stormwater Design• Heat Island Effect• Light Pollution Reduction

SUSTAINABLE SITES

WATER EFFICIENCY

Water Use Reduction• Water-efficient landscaping• Innovative Wastewater Technologies• Water Use Reduction• Process Water Use Reduction

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE

Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy SystemsMinimum Energy PerformanceFundamental Refrigerant Management• Optimize Energy Performance• On-Site Renewable Energy• Enhanced Commissioning• Enhanced Refrigerant Management• Measurement and Verification• Green Power

MATERIALS & RESOURCES

Storage and Collection of Recyclables• Building Reuse• Construction Waste Management• Materials Reuse• Recycled Content• Regional Materials• Rapidly Renewable Materials• Certified Wood

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Minimum Indoor Air Quality PerformanceEnvironmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) ControlMinimum Acoustical Performance• Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring• Increased Ventilation• Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan• Low-Emitting Materials• Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control• Controllability of Systems• Thermal Comfort• Daylight and Views• Enhanced Acoustical Performance• Mold Prevention

Innovation in Design

LEED Accredited Professional

INNOVATION IN DESIGN

REGIONAL PRIORITY

Regional Priority - 4 points possible - Regional USGBC determination

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

Low Impact Development (LID) is a land planning and engineering design approach to managing stormwater runoff using natural on-site features to protect water quality near its source.

These engineered features process stormwater using the following methods:

• infiltration• filtration• storage• evaporation• detention

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Implementation of Sustainable Practices may include:• Composting• Use of Rain Barrels for water collection

or Rain Gardens for natural run-off control

• Open-air laundry drying (clotheslines)• Native Plant Landscaping

PREFABRICATED TECHNOLOGIES

Structural Insulated Panels

Precast Concrete

Modular Components

Reduced Construction Times

Quicker Site Stabilization

Smaller Footprint

QUESTIONS ABOUT LEED

• Is LEED Necessary?• Under what circumstances?• What does it actually get you?• What does it cost?

- Project costs

- Opportunity costs

- LEED vs. “Small G green”

QUESTIONS ABOUT LEED

Are there alternatives?

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) “Green Buildings”

• Energy Efficient Building Association

• State of California

• City of Seattle

• Energy Star

QUESTIONS ABOUT LEED

Is LEED Right for Southern New England?

CME Associates, Inc.www.cmeengineering.com

Woodstock, CTEast Hartford, CTSouthbridge, MASalt Lake City, UT