Project Advisory 41, February 2017

Update to the MSBA's Sustainable Building Design Policy, Replaces Project Advisory 30

The MSBA Board of Directors approved an updated Sustainable Building Design Policy on February 15, 2017 that was the result of recent revisions to the Massachusetts Energy Conservation Code.

Projects may be impacted as follows:

  1. The requirement to comply with the policy previous to this update remains in effect for all core projects that receive a Preferred Schematic approval before June 28, 2017.
  2. The requirement to comply with the updated policy is in effect for all Core Program projects that request Preferred Schematic approval on or after the June 28, 2017 MSBA Board meeting.

The update to the Sustainable Building Design Policy is as follows:

Minimum Requirements
2015 Policy Updated 2017 Policy

Using LEED-S V4, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of "Certified" (40 points), including a minimum of 3 points in EA Credit "Optimize Energy Performance."

OR;

Using NE-CHPS 3.0, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of "Verified" (110 points for new construction or 85 points for addition / renovation), including 6 points in EE Prerequisite #1.0.

Using LEED-S, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of "Certified",

OR;

Using NE-CHPS, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of "Verified".

AND;

Exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 10%, using the LEED-S EA "Optimize Energy Performance" credit submittal or the NE-CHPS "Energy Efficiency" credit submittal to demonstrate that performance.

 

Additional Reimbursement
2015 Policy Updated 2017 Policy

Using LEED-S V4, for 2% additional reimbursement points, achieve a minimum of "Silver" (50 points), including a minimum of 6 points in EA Credit "Optimize Energy Performance."

OR;

Using NE-CHPS 3.0, for 2% additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of "Verified" (110 points for new construction or 85 points for addition / renovation), including a minimum of 9 points in EE Credit #1.1.

 In addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 20%, using the LEED-S EA "Optimize Energy Performance" credit submittal or the NE-CHPS "Energy Efficiency" credit submittal to demonstrate that performance.

In anticipation of this change, Districts, OPMs and Design teams should be aware that it is incumbent upon the Districts and their Designers to design to the appropriate sustainable criteria and establish project costs accordingly. MSBA will not revise the agreed upon Total Maximum Facilities Grant in the Project Scope and Budget Agreement to accommodate any potential change in the scope of work or any unanticipated cost increases associated with this new policy.

These changes were noted in the Update on Sustainable Building Design Guidelines and Policy Recommendations that was presented at the MSBA's Board of Directors Meeting on February 15, 2017. More information about the Green School Program can be found on the Green Schools page of the website. Any questions should be directed to MSBA Senior Architect, Karl Brown, AIA.