March 7, 2011: LEED Certification Policy

Our previous policy has been to require LEED Silver Certification as minimum requirements on all public buildings over 20,000 square feet. The new Board majority made a motion to allow some flexibility in this requirement. Everyone seemed to agree that LEED Silver standards – design and equipment -are really the basic building that one builds in these times.We all want our buildings to be energy efficient, but what isthat Certification costing? A plaque/certificate doesn’t add energy efficiency.

No one is suggesting that we stop building to LEED Silver standards, but looking at each new building as it comes up certainly has merit. Does it need a Certification Plaque?…and what price will we have to pay for that? We don’t know! 

Is it like the Hotel/Restaurant 5-Star Certification program? I’m told those stars cost $100K per star! It lends prestige and provides bragging rights, but you can build the same facility with LEED design elements, install the same equipment and provide the same service for a whole lot less…without the 5-Star Certification.

I believe looking at each project and determining the added cost of certification is a wise direction to take.

Is it worth it? Maybe…maybe not!

Flexibility Approved 4-1(Kost)

BOC Discussion – http://www.chathamnc.org - 3/7/’11 Regular Minutes