USGBC Adds LEED Pilot Credits

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council recently added several pilot credits to the LEED Pilot Credit Library.

The LEED Pilot rating system is designed to test new and revised LEED credit language, alternative compliance paths and new or innovative green building technologies and concepts. It offers a way for those testing the credits to provide feedback and comments, which is then used to evolve and refine pilot credits with the goal of adding successful credits to the USGBC member balloted LEED rating system.

According to an article published to the USGBC website, some of the new pilot credits available for projects include:

• Pilot Credit 81: Green training for contractors, trades, operators and service workers. By providing training about green building, the number of green and LEED buildings will increase as familiarity with green practices decrease construction time, cost and errors.

• Pilot Credit 80: Environmentally preferable interior finishes and furnishings. The purpose of the credit is to increase the use of environmentally and socially responsible interior finishes and furnishes. It rewards projects with finishes and furnishings from manufacturers who have validated multiple environmental attributes relevant to the product through independent third-party certifications.

• Pilot Credit 79: Material ingredients product manufacturer supply chain optimization. The credit rewards leadership practices and innovation to people working in all parts of the building product supply chain as verified by third-party programs.

• Pilot Credit 78: Design for active occupants. Improvements in building and site design and operation can impact an occupant’s physical activity. This credit encourages projects to promote physical activity by designing spaces with inviting stairways and by promoting physical activity in work areas and fitness areas.

Through the LEED Pilot rating system, all pilot credits are reviewed and approved by the Pilot Credit Working Group and the LEED Steering Committee before being included in the library.