Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 29 AUGUST 2013

LEED© For Homes: Catching Up With Energy Codes

Pepper Hamilton LLP
Explore more from Pepper Hamilton LLP

LEED for Homes is the U.S. Green Building Council green building rating system that is designed for evaluating single family, low-rise multi-family and mid-rise multi-family buildings.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Vicki Harding
Vicki Harding

LEED for Homes (2008) is the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) green building rating system that is designed for evaluating single family, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) and mid-rise multi-family (four to six stories) buildings.  USGBC is proposing to modify the energy credits in the LEED for Homes rating system to reflect recent changes in energy codes.

In particular, the Energy and Atmosphere credits include "EA 1 – Optimize Energy Performance."  Under this credit, a project must meet the performance requirements of ENERGY STAR for Homes as a prerequisite for earning LEED certification.  In addition, in order to earn up to 34 credits, the project must exceed this minimum performance, as measured using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index – which  is defined as: "a system for evaluating the energy efficiency of a home using an energy simulation model.  A HERS index of 100 represents the energy efficiency of a home that meets basic IECC

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

DOE’s AFFO Announces Intent To Award Up To $60 Million For Innovative Chemical, Fuel, And Fertilizer Technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office plans to award up to $60 million for projects that expand domestic energy production through innovative chemicals, fertilizers, fuels, and feedstock technologies. The funding opportunity will focus on three key areas: biointermediate depots, refinery integration with alternative feedstocks, and hydrogen/natural gas blending pilot sites. Applications are expected to open in November 2026 for research, development, and scale-up projects l
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Bergeson & Campbell
Bergeson & Campbell
Article

Texas Gov. Abbott Directs Data Center Audit; ERCOT Pauses Interconnection Process In Response

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state regulators to conduct a comprehensive audit of data center projects seeking grid access, while ERCOT has paused its Batch Zero interconnection process. This regulatory shift introduces immediate uncertainty for developers regarding timelines, financing, and project approvals, signaling that political engagement has become as critical as securing land and power in the Texas data center market.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight
Article

California Enacts Seven Data Center Bills, Effective January 1, 2027: New Tariff, Entitlement, And Disclosure Rules For Hyperscalers, Developers, And Power Producers

California Governor Newsom signed seven data center bills into law on September 21, 2026, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework that takes effect January 1, 2027. These bills create new tariff regimes administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, impose extensive reporting requirements on data center operators, and establish water disclosure mandates and CEQA treatment protocols.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP
Article

President Trump Signs Legislation Enacting Phased Elimination Of Federal Tax Credits For New Clean Energy Projects; Directs Treasury To "Strictly Enforce" Credit Termination For Solar And Wind Facilities

The Act restores the ITC eligibility of qualified fuel cell property that begins construction after 2025. Under the IRA, qualified fuel cell property was required to have begun construction prior to 2025 in order to be eligible for the ITC.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Article

Massachusetts Issues Guidance On Data Center Development Under Executive Order 658

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has issued Executive Order 658, establishing comprehensive permitting and regulatory standards for data centers exceeding 25 MW of peak electricity demand. The Order mandates community benefits agreements, clean energy procurement protocols, and coordination across multiple state agencies to ensure responsible development that protects ratepayers, communities, and the environment. This action positions Massachusetts alongside other states implementing stricter oversight o
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Sheppard
Sheppard
Article

More Rigs Than A Year Ago, Higher Costs, And Service Prices That Haven’t Caught Up

Oilfield service firms responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey for the third quarter of 2026 reported substantially broader increases in input costs than in the prices they received. The input-cost index was 60.4, compared with a prices-received index of 16.3. Each index represents the percentage of respondents reporting an increase minus the percentage reporting a decrease.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP