USGBC Updated LEED-Green-Associate Exam Questions and Answers by eira

From a LEED perspective, a brownfield site with access to multiple lines of public transportation and basic services would be the most applicable. Brownfield sites are previously developed sites that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution. Developing on these sites can help to clean up and revitalize the area. Access to public transportation reduces the need for private vehicle use,reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Per the LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, the baseline for energy performance evaluation is based on:

"ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010" for most projects under EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance and EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance.

This standard sets the minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings (excluding low-rise residential) and is the benchmark against which a project's proposed design is compared when using the energy simulation modeling method (whole building energy simulation).

ASHRAE 90.1-2010 defines criteria for HVAC systems, building envelope, service water heating, power, lighting, and other systems affecting energy use.

LEED requires performance above this baseline to earn points.

The other options are not appropriate baselines:

A. SMACNA: Refers to HVAC ductwork and air quality guidelines, not energy baseline standards.

B. ENERGY STAR®: Is a benchmarking tool, not a baseline standard used in energy modeling.

D. ASHRAE 62: Covers ventilation and indoor air quality, not energy performance.

Therefore, the correct baseline standard is ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

The environmental harm associated with transportation is reduced when purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products. Locally sourced products are products that are extracted, harvested, recovered, or manufactured within a certain distance from the project site. Environmentally preferable products are products that have reduced environmental impacts compared to similar products in terms of energy use, water use, materials use, waste generation, emissions, toxicity, and durability. Purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products reduces the amount of fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and road congestion associated with transporting products over long distances. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving materials and resources efficiency is to “use local or regional materials (extracted, processed and manufactured within 100 miles)” [1, p. 15]. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Environmentally Preferable Purchasing | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 set standards for indoor water fixtures like toilets and faucets, which are used as a baseline for determining water savings in LEED projects. The 2005 amendment to the EPACT further updated these standards. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources