Q: How should a project team determine if a site includes prime farmland per the USDA? 

A:  Teams should use the USDA Web Soil Survey Tool by going to: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/websoilsurvey.aspx 

Once one this page, follow these steps: 

1. Enter the project address & select the AOI box from the ribbon at the top of the map; 

2. Use the AOI box tool to create an area of interest around the site. 

3. Navigate to the soil data explorer tab. 

4. Navigate to the land classification drop down & select farmland classification → select view rating. 

5. Scroll to bottom of page and view the farmland designation. 

The Energy Rating Index (ERI) pathway is one of the options available to demonstrate compliance with mandatory 2020 Criteria criterion 5.1b for rehab projects and to achieve optional points through criterion 5.2a.

At the time of publication of the 2020 Criteria, RESNET’s HERS Index was the only compliant ERI option via methodology approved by an EPA-approved Verification Oversight Organization (VOO).

Since the time of 2020 Criteria publication, EPA has transitioned from VOOs to Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) for implementation of the ENERGY STAR certification program based on the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program requirements for site-built single-family and multifamily homes and apartments when an ERI or dwelling unit modeling compliance path is used. EPA has also expanded the list of EPA-recognized HCOs for such programs.  

Consistent with these updates and all future expansions of EPA-recognized HCO’s, any reference to “HERS Index” within the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities Criteria is amended to refer to any ERI methodology approved by an EPA-recognized HCO. 

The ERI value shall be calculated using ANSI / RESNET / ICC 301 including all Addenda and Normative Appendices, with new versions and Addenda implemented according to the schedule defined by the Home Certification Organization (HCO) that the home is being certified under, with approved exceptions listed at www.energystar.gov/ERIExceptions [energystar.gov].

Substantial or Moderate Rehab properties in Colorado in Climate Zone 5 may choose to use an alternate path instead of mandatory 2020 Criterion 5.1b.  This existing building Colorado alternate energy path is administered by Energy Outreach Colorado ; please refer to the linked requirements. 

To demonstrate compliance with this alternate path for Enterprise Green Communities Certification, at Prebuild project teams will upload a confirmation letter to the Enterprise certification portal from EOC showing that the project has appropriately committed to the Colorado alternate path.  At Postbuild, project teams will upload a confirmation letter to the Enterprise certification portal from EOC confirming that the project successfully complied.

As an alternative to either achieving DOE ZERH certification (12 points) or PHI Classic or PHIUS certification (15 points), existing buildings that demonstrate achievement of the following requirements will be considered compliant with Criterion 5.2b and receive Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus earning 12 points. 

If the project is a tenant-in-place rehabilitation, the project must demonstrate:  

• At least 30% reduction of site energy use compared to pre-rehab condition. 

• Compliance with Criterion 5.3a: Moving to Zero Energy: Photovoltaic / Solar Hot Water Ready OR Criterion 5.3b: Moving to Zero Energy: Renewable Energy [at least achieve minimum points available with this criterion]. 

• Compliance with Criterion 5.5b: Moving to Zero Carbon: All Electric. 

If the project is not a tenant-in-place rehabilitation, the project must demonstrate: 

• At least 40% reduction of site energy use compared to pre-rehab condition. 

• Compliance with Criterion 5.3a: Moving to Zero Energy: Photovoltaic / Solar Hot Water Ready OR Criterion 5.3b: Moving to Zero Energy: Renewable Energy [at least achieve minimum points available with this criterion]. 

• Compliance with Criterion 5.5b: Moving to Zero Carbon: All Electric. 

Certification Process:

Prebuild Documentation: 

1. The intent at Prebuild is to show readiness for achieving the 5.1b minimum requirements and the more rigorous performance standard of this approach within 5.2b. This may be demonstrated in one of two ways: 

1. If following the ASHRAE Option: submit the 5.2b Certification Plus for Existing Buildings Template - ASHRAE Option, demonstrating that the savings requirement will be achieved.  

2. If following the ERI Option: submit the 5.2b Certification Plus for Existing Buildings Template – ERI Option, demonstrating that the savings requirement will be achieved. Also submit the projected ERI ratings certificates.  

2. For both the ASHRAE Option and ERI Option, ensure that the existing and projected EUI and emissions for the building(s) are calculated on the Overview Tab of the appropriate 5.2b template. Also input these values in the specified fields of the Criteria Compliance section of the project’s Prebuild certification application.   

3. Comply with either Criterion 5.3a or Criterion 5.3b. 

4. Comply with Criterion 5.5b.  

5. If the project is a tenant-in-place rehabilitation, provide a memo signed by the building owner verifying this distinction in accordance with the definition herein under Eligibility.  

Postbuild Documentation: 

1. The intent at Postbuild is to show achievement of the minimum requirements of 5.1b as well as more rigorous performance standard of this approach within 5.2b. This may be demonstrated in one of two ways:  

1. Submit the 5.2b Certification Plus for Existing Buildings Template - ASHRAE Option demonstrating that the savings requirement was achieved.    

2. Submit the 5.2b Certification Plus for Existing Buildings Template – ERI Option, demonstrating that the savings requirement was achieved.   

2. For both the ASHRAE Option and ERI Option, ensure that the operating EUI and emissions for the building(s) are calculated on the Overview Tab of the appropriate 5.2b template. Also input these values in the specified fields of the Criteria Compliance section of the project’s Postbuild certification application.   

3. Complete 5.1b commissioning requirements.  

4. Comply with either 5.3a or 5.3b. 

5. Comply with Criterion 5.5b. 

Eligibility/ Background 

On May 2, 2024, Enterprise Green Communities released an addendum to Criterion 5.2b, Moving to Zero Energy: Near Zero Certification that provides a new compliance option specifically for rehabilitation projects pursuing Green Communities Certification Plus. As Criterion 5.4, the alternate means of achieving Green Communities Certification Plus, builds off of the deep energy reductions specified in Criterion 5.2b, we are releasing the following changes to 5.4 to specifically support and recognize rehabilitation projects prioritizing zero energy.   

With this addendum, we are aligning Green Communities Certification Plus with the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, Part I: Operating Emissions.  

The National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, Part I: Operating Emissions incorporates energy efficiency, clean energy, and eliminating on site combustion (emissions). Demonstration of compliance with Option 1 or Option 2 below will satisfy the energy efficiency and clean energy aspects of the National Definition. In order to demonstrate the project has eliminated combustion on site, the project must also comply with Criterion 5.5b, Moving to Zero Carbon: All-Electric. 

Requirements 

Buildings that demonstrate compliance with one of the following options will be considered compliant with Criterion 5.4 and be recognized as achieving Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus: 

Option 1 

Certify each building in the project to DOE ZERH program. 

AND 

Either install renewables and/or procure renewable energy, which in sum will produce as much, or more, energy in a given year than the project is modeled to consume. The renewable energy may be owned and produced on-site or off-site if the associated RECs are retained or retired by the building owner. Or, the renewable energy may be procured through a contract of at least 20 years from community solar, virtual power purchase agreements or Green-E certified renewable energy certificates. 

Option 2 

Certify each building in the project to a program that requires Zero Energy performance such as PHIUS ZERO, PHI Plus, PHI Premium, PHIUS+ Source Zero, or International Living Future Institute’s Zero Energy Petal, Zero Carbon Petal, or Living Building Certification.  

Option 3 

Projects that already demonstrate compliance with the Addendum to 5.2b, Prioritizing the Path to Certification Plus for Existing Buildings. 

AND 

Either install renewables and/or procure renewable energy, which in sum will produce as much, or more, energy in a given year than the project is modeled to consume. The renewable energy may be owned and produced on-site or off-site if the associated RECs are retained or retired by the building owner. Or, the renewable energy may be procured through a contract of at least 20 years from community solar, virtual power purchase agreements or Green-E certified renewable energy certificates. 

Q: How do existing buildings with systems located above the design flood elevation comply with this criterion for optional points? 

A: Although optional for most projects certifying to the 2020 Green Communities Criteria, Criterion 5.9 is mandatory for projects participating in the Louisiana Housing Corporation PRIME program regardless of a project’s specific site or elevation. Criterion 5.9 includes guidance for certain rehab projects in FEMA SFHA that are assumed compliant via compliance with mandatory Criterion 2.1, Sensitive Site Protection. In instances where existing buildings include systems that are located above the design flood elevation for that property, and that will not be replaced as part of the project, raising systems and equipment further may not be necessary to meet the intent of the criterion. However, designing for optimal system operation during an emergency and providing appropriate floodproofing is still required. Each project approach will be nuanced as a result of the project’s unique conditions.  

• ASCE 24: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/improving-performance-buildings-flood-hazard-areas.pdf 

Q: In the certification portal, how should a project indicate which Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, is being pursued to fulfill the mandatory requirement?

A: On the Criteria Compliance tab under the Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, select the check box under “Set as Mandatory” for the intended criterion. This action will revert the criterion to mandatory with zero optional points associated; enabling the remaining two criteria (of 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13) to each be pursued for eight optional points.

Q: In the certification portal, how should a project indicate which Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, is being pursued to fulfill the mandatory requirement?

A: On the Criteria Compliance tab under the Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, select the check box under “Set as Mandatory” for the intended criterion. This action will revert the criterion to mandatory with zero optional points associated; enabling the remaining two criteria (of 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13) to each be pursued for eight optional points.

Q: In the certification portal, how should a project indicate which Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, is being pursued to fulfill the mandatory requirement?

A: On the Criteria Compliance tab under the Promoting Health Through Design Criterion, 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13, select the check box under “Set as Mandatory” for the intended criterion. This action will revert the criterion to mandatory with zero optional points associated; enabling the remaining two criteria (of 7.11, 7.12, or 7.13) to each be pursued for eight optional points.