USGBC-LI hosts LEED V3 program and panel discussion

LEED V3 evening program and panel discussion was given at Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City (June 10) and Suffolk County Community College Eastern Campus in Riverhead (June 24). About 100 members were treated to an in-depth discussion about the changes to the LEED ratings and accreditation system. It was moderated by Richard Neuman, partner with Relocation Management Solutions. The audience was very engaged as panelists answered over 50 questions between the two events. Jenny Lynn Georgiades - LEED AP, Director of A & D Support Services for Waldner's Business Environments and Frank Piccirillo, senior project manager of Axis Construction Corp. covered the overall mission of USGBC: 1. Discussed differences between New Construction version 2.0 and 3.0 2. How the ratings system has been modified to address regionalization so points are distributed uniformly in different areas of the country. 3. Additional points can be achieved for the same credit such as Sustainable Sites. Under NC 2.2 there were 14 possible points and under 3.0 there are 26 possible points. 4. Topics included alternative transportation (you could achieve 1 point under 2.2 and now 6 points available under 3.0) 5. Water Efficiency - 5 points under NC 2.2, 10 points under 3.0 6. Energy and Atmosphere - 17 possible points under NC 2.2, 35 under 3.0 7. Discussed how overall energy use reduction target has been achieved sooner than expected Paul Meyer - LEED AP, senior engineer of Horizon Engineering Associates discussed in depth changes to the LEED Ratings System 1. LEED 2009 changes make LEED more understandable, more accurate, more consistent. 2. Major enhancements to LEED rating system: Harmonization, Credit weightings, Regionalization. USGBC reviewed and compared each credit across all of the LEED rating systems. The goal was to align one credit template for multiple rating systems. 3. The LEED 2009 scorecards were "re-weighted" based on their ability to impact different environmental and human health concerns. Climate change is the greatest priority...so LEED credits for energy efficiency and CO2 reduction were given the most weight. 4. Bonus LEED Credits - 5 points for Innovation and Design, 4 points for Regionalization, 1 point for a LEED AP. The total number of points available for each project is 110 points. 5. Regionalization credits for Long Island - For New Construction - SSc4.1 Public Transportation, SSc5.1 Protect or Restore Habitat, SSc6.2 Stormwater Quality, WEc2 Innovative Wastewater, EAc1 Optimize Energy, EAc2 Onsite renewable (six options, up to four points earned). Eric Schatz - LEED AP, senior consultant of Greyhawk Construction Managers & Consultants discussed changes to LEED AP 1.What is a LEED Accredited Professional? 2. New Education Levels 3. New LEED Credential Tiers and Specializations 4. Previous LEED APs - what happens now? 5. Credential Maintenance Program 6. Eligibility Requirements 7. Exam Information The June 24 Suffolk County Community College attendees were treated to a special presentation by Nick Palumbo, director of Plant Operations for SCCC who gave an overview of the college's planned Montaukett Learning and Resource Center which is targeted to be New Construction LEED Platinum and slated to start construction in the fall. Opening remarks at Long Island Children's Museum were given by chair Art Desin. Opening remarks at Suffolk County Community College were given by vice chair Vince Capogna.