Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-BD+C Book

The Sustainable Sites Credit, Light Pollution Reduction aims to minimize the adverse effects of artificial lighting on the night sky, human health, and wildlife1. However, the credit does not apply to lighting that is required for safety, security, or emergency purposes2. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, lighting for theatrical performances is considered an emergency purpose and is exempt from the credit requirements3. Therefore, the LEED AP should inform the owner that the LED fixture is exempt from Sustainable Sites Credit, Light Pollution Reduction and does not need to be modified or compared to an alternative. Enclosing the performance areas would not reduce light pollution, but rather increase energy consumption and affect the outdoor experience. Calculating the return on investment over the 20-year life of the project is irrelevant to the credit and would not help achieve it.

References:

Light Pollution Reduction

Light Pollution Reduction: Sustainable Site Credit for LEED Existing Building O+M

[LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4], page 581

According to the Integrative Process Credit, Integrative Process, the goal-setting workshop should identify targeted LEED credits. This is because the goal-setting workshop is a meeting that involves the project owner and key project team members to establish the project’s sustainability goals, design objectives, and performance targets. One of the outcomes of the workshop is to identify the LEED credits that are relevant and achievable for the project, based on the project scope, budget, schedule, and site conditions. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. The other options are not the objectives of the goal-setting workshop. Potential project sites (option A) are usually determined before the goal-setting workshop, as they affect the project’s feasibility and design. Expected water demand (option C) and expected energy demand (option D) are not identified in the goal-setting workshop, but rather in the preliminary water budget and the preliminary energy modeling, which are part of the analysis phase that follows the goal-setting workshop. For more information on the Integrative Process Credit, Integrative Process, you can refer to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction1 or the Projectific blog post on LEED Integrative Process Credit Explained2.

To pursue a Regional Priority Credit in LEED, project teams must provide the latitude and longitude (A) of the project in LEED Online. This information helps the LEED system identify which regional priorities are applicable based on the project's geographic location. Regional Priority Credits are customized credits specific to environmental concerns in a particular area, rewarding projects for addressing local issues. Other options like heating and cooling degree days (B), climate zone (C), and ENERGY STAR® score (D) are not required to qualify for these credits.

According to the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Thermal Comfort credit requires providing individual comfort controls for at least 50% of individual occupant spaces, and group controls for 100% of shared multioccupant spaces1. Individual comfort controls allow occupants to adjust one or more of the following: air temperature, air speed, radiant temperature, or humidity. Group controls are shared by two or more occupants within a thermal zone. The credit aims to promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well-being by providing quality thermal comfort. References: EQ Credit Thermal Comfort, LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction123