LEED Innovation Credit

A LEED credit in Innovation and Design based on Green Advantage® Certification is approved for eligible commercial projects.  The credit, as received by some projects, requires that a significant percentage of a project's building force is Green Advantage® Certified prior to and throughout the construction of an eligible project.  It applies to buildings operating under LEED versions 2.0 and 2.1.  The credit has also been achieved under LEED version 2.2, but continuing use of the credit under this version is subject to further review by USGBC. 

LEED changes its program periodically; as always, Green Advantage® suggests interested parties inquire with USGBC whether your project will be entitled to the credit before expending resources in reliance upon an expectation of receiving the credit.  An example of requirement criteria can be seen below.

There has been, and continues to be, much interest in the use of Green Advantage® Certified Practitioners on projects.  Certified Practitioners take their Green Advantage® Certification with them to the next project, and throughout their careers if they choose.  Green Advantage® Certified Practitioners may not only help a project earn this and other LEED credits, but their holistic knowledge of green building may actually help save LEED credits that might be jeopardized by less knowledgeable personnel.

As to USGBC’s new LEED v.3 standards, it is GA’s understanding that no innovation credits from previous versions of LEED will be carried over automatically to LEED 3.0 and that determinations for innovation credits will be made based on a new protocol determined by USGBC.  For further information, contact USGBC directly.

EXAMPLE CRITERIA for LEED ID CREDIT:

The following is an example of criteria approved by USGBC and used in achieving the LEED Innovation Credit under versions 2.0 and 2.1.  It is an example only, and USGBC has the ultimate authority to grant or deny the awarding of a LEED Credit in Innovation and Design.

Requirements

1. Prior to and throughout the construction phase of the project, 30% of the General Contractor's or Construction Manager's personnel will be Green Advantage® Certified.

Personnel must be actively involved in the day-to-day activities and of the following classifications, if applicable:

    * Architect's on site representative

    * Contractor

    * Construction Manager including Project Executive

    * Project Manager

    * Project Engineer

    * Quality Control Manager

    * Mechanical/ Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Coordinator

    * Superintendent

    * Assistant Superintendent, and/or General Foreman

2. Prior to and throughout the construction phase of the project, 30 percent of Subcontractor personnel will be Green Advantage® Certified.

Personnel must be actively involved in the day-to-day activities and of the following classifications:

    * Project Manager

    * Superintendent

    * Project Engineer

    * Quality Control Manager

    * General Foreman, or Trade Foreman

Contractors and Subcontractors are also encouraged to conduct a one-hour on-site orientation to green building for all individuals participating in the project prior to beginning work as well as periodic meetings throughout the construction process.

Submittals

Documentation to demonstrate credit achievement should include a complete list of all Contractor, Construction Manager and Subcontractor Organizational and Project Managers on the project, noting their role in the project, who is GA certified, and including a copy of a GA certification certificate for each individual. Calculations for Contractor, Construction Manager and Subcontractor Organizational and Project Managers should be provided separately to demonstrate compliance.

If this project is classified as a Multi prime Contract, the Construction Manager and each Prime Contractor will adhere to those percentages and classifications aforementioned under the contractor and subcontractor descriptions, respectively.