USGBC LEED-AP-ND Questions Answers

For a LEED for Neighborhood Development project, having access to a local utility that supplies renewable energy to the site significantly contributes to earning certification. This contextual attribute aligns with LEED’s emphasis on sustainable energy use, which is critical for reducing the environmental impact of the neighborhood. The availability of renewable energy directly supports credits related to Green Infrastructure and Buildings, such as those for Renewable Energy Production, and enhances the overall sustainability of the project.

When defining the boundary of a project site on an urban waterfront, a dock to be constructed by the developer can be included. This is because it is a planned and integral part of the project’s development. Other options like houseboats, marinas, or jetties that were in place prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or the date of property acquisition are generally not included in the project boundary as they were not part of the project’s initial development plans. LEED requires that all project-related infrastructure, especially those constructed as part of the project, be included within the project boundary.

The Backlight-Uplight-Glare (BUG) rating method is used to assess the performance of luminaires in controlling light pollution, which is critical for achieving the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Light Pollution Reduction. The BUG system evaluates how much light is directed in unwanted directions—backward, upward, and as glare—thus helping to minimize light pollution. This method is recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and is preferred over simply evaluating the type of light source, like LEDs, or other general methods.

To achieve maximum points in the Regional Priority category, it is crucial for the project team to select credits that are specifically designated as Regional Priority credits for the project's location. The USGBC identifies Regional Priority credits based on the unique environmental priorities of different regions. These credits vary depending on geographic location and address region-specific environmental challenges. Therefore, the most accurate approach is to refer directly to the USGBC's website, where the eligible Regional Priority credits for each location are listed. This ensures that the project team is pursuing the appropriate credits that align with the regional environmental goals.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: Discusses the importance of Regional Priority credits and the need to refer to the USGBC’s resources to identify them (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

USGBC Official Website: Provides detailed information on Regional Priority credits for different locations, accessible to project teams (USGBC, LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System).