The LEED^® Energy and Atmosphere Green Power Credit allows a building project to choose renewable energy, offering points toward LEED green certification that significantly reduces a project’s environmental impact. The U.S. Green Building Council^® and the Canada Green Building Council’s® various LEED rating systems have placed more and more value on the Green Power Credit and the on-site and off-site renewable energy credit as a means to improve a building’s environmental performance.

One of the largest impacts a company has on the environment is created by the electricity it consumes-- even the most energy efficient buildings consume electricity from an energy infrastructure that is detrimental to the environment. In the United States alone, buildings account for 72% of energy consumption.

Project owners, developers, architects, and engineers are increasingly looking to achieve LEED certification based on the standards set forth by the USGBC and local building codes. LEED certified buildings not only help to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions, they also contribute to a healthier environment. The Green Power LEED points allow a project to support new renewable energy development by choosing renewable energy credits (RECs), offering affordable LEED points that reduce the project’s environmental impact.

The U.S. Green Building Council Energy & Atmosphere Green Power credit allows LEED projects to earn as many as seven points (depending on the rating system used by the project and the projects location) by providing a percentage of the building’s estimated annual electricity use from Green-e^® Energy Certified RECs for at least two years. The Energy & Atmosphere Green Power credit is an easy and affordable option for meeting the LEED requirements for green power because there is no need to install any equipment or contact the utility provider.

Energy production is a big contributor to global air pollution; therefore, the use of alternative energy sources should be encouraged. Even the most energy efficient buildings consume electricity produced primarily from fossil fuels such as coal, a leading source of industrial air pollution and climate change.

By partnering with Renewable Choice Energy and supporting Green Power, a project can join other leading organizations to help build a cleaner, and more sustainable, energy future for all of us. Want to learn more? 

View our on-demand webinar on Green Power for LEED® Projects to learn:

• How green power is used to help achieve LEED certification
• How your buildings impact occupants and the environment
• What points are available for different certification types
• How Renewable Choice is uniquely equipped to help you succeed