While much of the focus of LEED v4 has been on the materials, the energy credits also experienced significant changes. One major new requirement is that the commissioning design review is a part of the fundamental commissioning prerequisite. This means that all LEED projects must engage a commissioning agent during the design phase. The minimum energy performance prerequisite also requires analysis to be done during the design phase, and the referenced energy standard has been updated to ASHRAE 90.1-2010. ASHRAE 90.1-2010 includes many new mandatory requirements, that all projects must comply with, such as controlled receptacles and daylighting controls. Luckily, most projects in California are likely to meet those mandatory requirements, as well as the commissioning design review, simply by complying with Title 24.

For LEED Commercial Interiors projects, the way energy efficiency points are awarded has been changed as well. In LEED v3, a project could earn all the points by prescriptively complying separately with the HVAC, lighting, and process load credits. In version 4, that option is still available, but a project cannot earn all the points available. In order to maximize energy efficiency points, a project will need to run a tenant level energy model using ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

Measurement and verification has also undergone a radical transformation. Projects will no longer be required to create and implement an M&V plan. In order to achieve the new Advanced Energy Metering Credit, projects will only have to install submeters on significant end uses. Additionally, a new prerequisite has been created which requires all projects to have building level energy meters. For most projects this won’t be a concern, but some campus projects will need to submeter out each building.

LEED v4 recognizes the variety of different services a high-quality commissioning agent can provide. Unlike LEED v3, where Enhanced Commissioning was all or nothing, LEED v4 has a few different Enhanced Commissioning options to choose from. Projects can choose to have their commissioning agent perform Enhanced Commissioning with or without Monitoring Based Commissioning. Additionally, projects using the building design and construction rating system can choose to pursue Envelope Commissioning as well.

The Argento/Graham team had some amazing experiences this year at Greenbuild 2015: Monumental Green in Washington, DC! We attended valuable educational sessions, caught up with old friends, and made great new connections.

With the new LEED version 4 rating system mandatory implementation less than a year away, many educational sessions took a closer look at the new requirements, particularly with respect to sustainable materials and healthy indoor environmental quality strategies. For example, the session LEEDv4: Market Transformation in Action examined how new materials transparency standards are impacting materials manufacturers, and how LEED requirements can have a wide range of effects on different international markets.

As always, one of the top highlights of Greenbuild was this year’s Women in Green Power Breakfast. The fourth annual Women in Green event, The Challenge with Mentorship, featured an inspiring panel of women in sustainability who shared their gratitude for the people who supported and motivated their careers, and on what it means to them be a mentor. During the breakfast, USGBC unveiled its Bringing Up Girls initiative and challenged the attendees to make a commitment to mentorship in their own lives.

A/G stayed involved outside of educational sessions as well. A/G co-sponsored the highly anticipated Monumental Party reviewer’s party at Town Danceboutique, and Annie Argento helped run the Los Angeles Greenbuild host committee booth.

Greenbuild may be over this year, but we’re already looking ahead to Greenbuild 2016: Iconic Green in Los Angeles! As co-chair of the host committee, Annie Argento is working with USGBC LA to make next year’s event the best one yet. We can’t wait to see you there!