Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-Green-Associate Updated Exam

Open-grid paving is a permeable hardscape strategy that allows rainwater to infiltrate through the surface rather than running off quickly into storm drains. In LEED Sustainable Sites, rainwater management aims to maintain or restore natural hydrology, reduce runoff volume, improve water quality, and limit downstream erosion and sedimentation. Option A is incorrect because alternative transportation is supported by strategies such as bicycle facilities, access to transit, reduced parking footprint, and green vehicles. Option B is incorrect because light pollution is addressed through exterior lighting design and fixture control. Option C is not the best answer because paving a parking area does not preserve native habitat, although it may reduce runoff impacts compared with conventional asphalt.

The project boundary is the area within which the project team has authority to implement the LEED requirements. It is important to clearly identify the project boundary to define the limits of site disturbance, which can affect the environmental performance of the project. For example, limiting site disturbance can help reduce soil erosion, protect natural habitats, and conserve water resources. The project boundary also determines the scope of the site assessment and the applicability of some credits. References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 13

Pervious paving, also known as permeable paving, allows water to pass through it, facilitating the recharging of aquifers. This type of paving reduces runoff by allowing water to soak into the ground, which can help replenish groundwater supplies and reduce the impact on nearby water bodies. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points a project earns across several categories of green building performance. The range of points required to achieve LEED Silver is 50-59, out of a possible 110 points. The other levels of LEED certification are: Certified (40-49 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points)12. Therefore, if a project initially has 34 credit points,it would need 20 additional points to reach the minimum threshold for LEED Silver. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2