Green Building Incentives

LIPA’s Commercial Construction Program offers developers and building owners the technical and financial assistance necessary to help meet LEED Green Building goals, beyond what is typically offered under the Program.

What is LEED?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Eligibility

• new commercial and major renovation projects that are registered with the USGBC [projects seeking LEED certification in categories other than LEED NC may also be eligible. For additional details, contact LIPA]
• an application for the Commercial Construction Program must be submitted before construction documents are completed
• the developer or building owner and their design team must agree to set an energy efficiency goal of at least 20% better ASHRAE 90.1-2004

Incentives
Projects seeking LEED certification will be eligible for participation in the Whole Building Design Approach, regardless of size or complexity. In addition to the incentives available under the comprehensive Whole Building Design...

• LIPA will fund 100% of the cost of energy modeling up to $50,000
• LIPA will pay up to 100% of the cost for fundamental and additional commissioning of energy related systems up to $100,000
• Projects can qualify for up to $25,000 for achieving LEED points that are related to the building’s energy performance.
• The maximum rebate will be increased from $400,000 to $500,000 for LEED Green Buildings.

LEED Points
The following points from the USGBC’s LEED NC 2.2 checklist are eligible to for an additional incentive of $1,000 for each point.

• SS Credit 7.2 : Heat Island Effect : Roof [1 point]
• SS Credit 8 : Light Pollution [1 point]
• WE Credit 3.2 : Water Use Reduction : 30% Reduction [1 point]
• EA Credit 1 : Optimize Energy Performance [up to 10 points]
• EA Credit 2 : On-Site Renewable Energy [up to 3 points]
• EA Credit 5 Measurement & Verification [1 point]
• EA Credit 6 : Green Power [1 point]
• EQ Credit 1 : Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring [1 point]
• EQ Credit 6.1 : Controllability of Systems : Lighting [1 point]
• EQ Credit 6.2 : Controllability of Systems : Thermal Comfort [1 point]
• EQ Credit 7.2 : Thermal Comfort : Verification [1 point]
• EQ Credit 8.2 : Daylight & Views : Views for 90% of Spaces [1 point]
• ID Credit 1 : Innovation in Design [limited to 1 point]
• ID Credit 2 : LEED Accredited Professional [1 point]

Resources and References

• United States Green Building Council
• Advanced Energy Design Guides
• High Performance Design Guide
• Commissioning for Better Buildings