Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Alternative Transportation: Alternative Refueling Background The intent of this credit is very clear to us and alternative transportation in and around the New York City metropolitan area is and has been an important issue for decades. Our project is addressing this issue through all four strategies outlined in the LEED Rating System for this credit and more (creating pedestrian linkages to ferry transit and developing an additional ferry pier). When considering encouraging the use of alternative fuel vehicles we would like to request that an alternative to the LEED requirements for this point (point number 3 of the credit) be considered and accepted. The current credit rewards the provision of infrastructure for refueling stations for 3% of the total parking capacity. This could include and infrastructure and run outs for electric vehicle recharging or natural gas refueling stations. Credit Equivalence Request Our observations of the alternative vehicle marketplace shows virtually no measurable presence of electric vehicles, but that hybrid (gas/electric) vehicles are in fact the emerging alternative vehicle technology and are already offered by at least two major automobile manufactures (Honda Insight, and Toyota Prius), with the US big three (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) about to join the ranks. We would like to direct our efforts on this project at encouraging what appears to be the real emerging alternative vehicle trend by creating preferred parking spaces for 3% of the total parking capacity for hybrid vehicles in lieu of installing electric vehicle recharging stations. We feel this strategy meets the intent of reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use and supports the emerging trend that has the highest probability of working to meet the intent.