Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

LEED CIR for Offsetting Fossil Fuel Use On-site combustion of fossil fuel energy sources (oil, coal, natural gas) creates climate-changing carbon dioxide (CO2), and while energy conservation measures may reduce the impact of this energy use, Energy and Atmosphere Credit 6 (Green Power) only addresses electric power consumption, not on-site thermal fossil fuel use. Therefore we propose an Innovation Credit for offsetting the carbon impacts of natural gas use as follows: Intent: Encourage the development and use of energy technologies on a net zero pollution basis. Requirement: Engage in a two-year contract to purchase carbon offsets for natural gas use, fuel oil, or on-site coal burning systems. Submittals: Provide a copy of the two-year offset purchase contract. Design Approach: Purchase Green Tags, a Green-e certified energy-offset product, from The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The structure of the BEF Green Tags program offers a unique opportunity for fossil fuel users to offset the carbon impact of their fossil fuel use. By investing revenue from the sale of Green Tags directly into the development of new clean energy infrastructure BEF\'s Green Tags provide a tangible means of offsetting the carbon impacts of fossil fuel use. The carbon dioxide offsets associated with BEF\'s Green Tags has been calculated by the Northwest Power Planning Council and has been endorsed by the Climate Neutral Network. Additionally, unlike purchasing Green Power from existing (and sometimes 20-year old) renewable sources such as geothermal, BEF Green Tag offsets are invested in 100 percent "new renewables," construction of new wind and other renewable power systems.