Achieve LEED-NC or EB certification

Achieve LEED certification on your next project and Avista Utilities will pay you $1.25 per conditioned square foot for LEED-NC* and $.50 per conditioned square foot for LEED-EB.**  (Please see the note at the bottom of the page for upcoming changes)

The LEED (Leadership in Energy Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the Green Building Council, representing all segments of the building industry, developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution.

LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

 www.usgbc.org

To verify eligibility and incentive amounts, be sure to contact Avista before your project gets off the ground.  Programs and incentives are subject to change.  Customers must receive Avista electric and retail natural gas to be eligible (transportation gas customers do not qualify).

Here's how to receive an incentive:

1. Register your project with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at www.usgbc.org.
   -- This should be done early in the design process in order to maximize the value while minimizing the cost.
   -- Use the LEED criteria as the basis for making design decisions.
2. Submit a copy of the registration to Avista. Avista will issue an agreement that will insure that the project is in the queue for funding.
3. Achieve a minimum of four points for Optimal Energy Performance.
   -- Comply with all LEED-NC (New Construction) whole building modeling requirements.
   -- For LEED-EB (Existing Building) submit your Energy Star score report.
4. Submit final application to USGBC at www.usgbc.org.
   -- Forward copies of the project narrative, LEED Checklist and other relevant project documentation to Avista.
5. Submit a copy of your approval letter from USGBC indicating that you have received certification to Avista.
   -- The approval letter will serve as evidence that the facility is LEED certified and has met the energy performance requirement.
6. A check for the  incentive amount will be sent directly to the customer.

*As of January 1st, 2010 the LEED-NC Certification incentive will decrease to $.25 per conditioned square foot and the minimum required points for Optimal Energy Performance will increase from four to ten.

**Buildings where LEED Certification is a requirement are not eligible for incentives.

For more information about LEED-NC or EB Certification Incentives from Avista Utilities, e-mail Mike Dillon or call him at 509-495-4260.