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Canadian Green Building Council instituting Changes to the Canadian LEED Rating System

The Spring of 2010 will see the CaGBC launching the latest versions of its New Construction and Core & Shell rating systems, LEED Canada NC 2009 and LEED Canada CS 2009. These new rating systems, while built upon the existing rating systems, will feature several changes. The registration for LEED Canada NC 2009 and LEED Canada CS 2009 will open in June 2010 and those registering projects after this date must use the new rating systems. Unfortunately, you will not be able to register for either LEED Canada NC 1.0 or LEED Canada CS 1.0 after the new versions are released.

Projects registered prior to the launch of the new rating systems will have three options:
• Certifying under the current rating systems.
• Switching and certifying under the new rating systems.
• Using only some of the credits from the new rating

Note that not all credits will be available to use in this way, and other limitations may apply. Users familiar with LEED Canada NC 1.0 will be pleased that the new reference guide being developed will include: CIRs; application guides for multi-unit residential buildings, campuses and multiple buildings, and leased tenant space; and the LEED Canada Core and Shell rating system.

The substantial changes to LEED Canada NC 2009 include the following:
• The weighting of credits (to better reflect the envi ronmental importance of certain credits)
• New regional priority points (extra points available in certain exi s t ing categor ies that address issues of regional environmental importance)
• The certification process (which will be streamlined)
• Some credit requirements, such as referencing ASHRAE 90.1 2007.

SCORING
Core credits: 100 points
Innovation & Design: 6 points
Regional credits: 4 points

Total 110 points

LEVELS
Certified: 40 points
Silver: 50 points
Gold: 60 points
Platinum: 80 points

Scoring within the system will also change. Historically, scoring was based on 70 points. The new LEED Canada 2009 scoring structure is based on 110 points. This change was made to begin the alignment of the point allocation in all rating systems, so as to be more intuitive. Additionally, other changes can be seen in the following areas: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Material Selection, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation. Workshops will be available in 2010 outlining the new LEED NC 2009 rating system.

For more information, a list of frequently asked questions and the schedule for workshops please visit www.cagbc.org.

 

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