LEED Leadership in Energy Environmental Design Presented

LEED Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Presented by: Jack B. Teplitz & Associates 331 Fulton St. , Suite 525 Peoria, IL 61602 Phone: 309. 637. 3800 www. teplitzlaw. com March 28, 2008

Why Was LEED Created? Facilitate positive results for the environment, occupant health and financial return Define “green” by providing a standard for measurement Prevent “greenwashing” (false or exaggerated claims) Promote whole-building, integrated design processes Stimulate green competition Establish market value with recognizable national “brand” Transform the marketplace!

U. S. Green Building Council’s Mission “To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. ” “To increase the number of buildings that increase productivity, improve our health, conserve our Earth’s resources, and cost less to operate and maintain a highly valued asset for the companies, communities, and people that make up the U. S. Green Building Council. ” More about USGBC The leader in green building and development and the founder of the LEED Green Building Rating System

USGBC membership increase Green buildings account for 10 -15% of the overall new construction market because LEED is making the process of going green even more standardized USBGC members roster has increased from 500 members three years ago to more than 12, 000 today (as of Dec/Jan ‘ 08)

Environmental Impact of Buildings in the U. S. * – 65. 2% of total electricity consumption – 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions – 136 million tons of construction and demolition waste (approx. 2. 8 lbs/person/day) – 40% of raw materials use globally (3 billion tons annually) * Commercial and residential

Why Go Green? Members of LEED get significant discounts on USGBC programs, publications, and services The greener industrial/corporate facility has been validated by customer demand In the U. S. , buildings account for 39% of the nation’s total annual energy consumption according to the DOE and the DOT On average, Green buildings save: – 40% in water use – 30% in energy use and greenhouse emissions – 50 -75% of construction and demolition waste going to landfills – $58 billion of sick time for work annually – adds $180 billion in increased worker productivity annually – conserves resources and uses resources that are neutral to the environment – utilizes recycled, reclaimed, and salvaged materials, lessening the burden on landfills by reducing the need for dumping

LEED Certified Advantages (both environmental and financial) Lower operating costs and increases asset value Children’s Discovery Museum Normal, IL Reduce waste sent to landfills Conserve energy and water Air quality improvement Healthier and safer for occupants Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities Demonstrate an owner’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility

Multiple Levels of LEED certification 6 categories in which to earn points: – – – Sustainable sites Water efficiency Energy & atmosphere Materials & resources Indoor environmental quality Innovation in design (projects can earn ID points for green building innovations The number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification the project receives: – – Minimum points: Certified Second highest points: Silver Third highest points: Gold Fourth-maximum points: Platinum

LEED Certification Types of buildings eligible for certification include but are not limited to: – Offices – Retail and service establishments – Institutional buildings (libraries, schools, museums, and religious institutions) – Hotels – Residential buildings of four or more habitable stories

According to a 2006 Harvard Business Review Press Release: “Hundreds of studies have proven the financial advantages of going green, from reduced construction costs to lower operating costs” “Employers have experienced significant workforce benefits in green buildings, including stronger employee attraction and retention, as well as fewer illnesses and lower absenteeism, which reduces health care costs. In particular, green buildings can boost employee productivity by approximately 15%” “Green buildings today cost no more to construct than standard buildings thanks to lower materials and technologies costs, much greater availability of green building products, and greater real estate industry experience in planning and constructing green buildings”

Ways to make your existing building green A green (landscaped) roof costs more than a standard roof to install, but its return on investment is greater because it lasts years longer and provides more benefits, particularly storm water management and lower energy costs Site planning – minimizes the amount of on-site infrastructure like roads and parking lots – reduces earthwork, grading, and provides easy access to public transportation – all of which lowers costs and earns LEED Creating a day lit interior that needs much less artificial lighting Landscaping to minimize heat islands—the build-up of heat from sunlight pouring onto dark, nonreflective surfaces—which lowers energy and usage costs A long and narrow building shape maximizes natural lighting and ventilation for workers

Landscaping strategies Green screens on building walls Mature trees shading building walls, roads, and parking areas A green roof (pictured) which reduces interior heat gain (lowering air conditioning requirements) cleans the air, serves as wildlife habitat, and absorbs rain Operable windows and skylights enable natural ventilation Windows with low emission glazing minimize interior solar heat gain and glare

Green Technology Motion-sensitive lighting sensors Individual climate controls in offices and in workstations Highly efficient HVAC systems help conserve energy—by relying on passive strategies for heating and cooling, the cost of equipment is cut

Saving water Install water-conserving irrigation systems and plumbing Waterless urinals (actually more sanitary) Native and drought-tolerant landscape plants Recycled (not potable) water for landscape irrigation Green storm water management systems include bioswales (shallow “canals” lined with plants), green roofs, and man-made retention ponds and wetlands

Use alternative materials Sustainable, nontoxic building materials are now available at mainstream prices Low and zero VOC (volatile organic compound) paints Strawboard made from wheat (rather than formaldehyde-laced particle board) Linoleum flooring made from jute and linseed oil (rather than toxin-packed standard vinyl) 100% recycled carpeting and heavy steel Furniture with significant recycled content

LEED for Neighborhood Development This is a pilot program with the emphasis on the design and construction elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood by creating incentives for better location, design and construction of new residential, commercial and mixed use developments. The purpose is to encourage developers to revitalize existing urban areas, reduce land consumption, reduce automobile dependence, promote pedestrian activity, improve air quality, decrease polluted storm water runoff and build more livable, sustainable, communities for people of all income levels.

Legal Issues Presented by LEED 1. If LEED is mandated by the municipality, how do you enforce the mandate? What if the building fails to meet the mandated standards? The LEEDs process takes months to obtain a certification after completion of the building. (a) Fines (b) Re-do parts of the building (c) Stop benefits agreed to by the municipality (d) Ban the developer from developing additional buildings (e) Do nothing

Legal Issues Presented by LEED 2. What if there are conflicts with existing codes? (a) The use of gray-water (b) Waterless urinals (c) Solar panels in the front yard (d) The use of wind turbines (e) Insulation requirements (f) The recycling of demolition wastes, for instance, concrete with anything attached like paint has to go to a hazardous waste land (g) The use of cisterns (h) The use of pervious pavements (i) The reduction in parking requirements (j) The reduction in set-back requirements

Legal Issues Presented by LEED for Neighborhood Development This program is closely tied with the concept of New Urbanism which can create conflicts with zoning, planning, building codes and public works requirements. (a) Zero lot lines (b) Zero setbacks (c) Elimination of parking requirements for specific buildings (d) Mandated pedestrian access (i. e. wider sidewalks, pedestrian amenities) (e) Bicycle lanes (f) Building heights (g) Allowing mixed use of buildings (residential on top of retail or other commercial uses) (h) Recycling of rain water

Much of the material contained in this presentation was obtained from the U. S. Green Building Council and the Town of Normal, Illinois. A special thanks to Mercy Davison, Director of Planning and Steve Mahrt, Corporation Counsel for the Town of Normal