OLR Report 2015-R-0061 provides a brief summary of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) incentive programs in other states. The LEED program is a building certification process developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that aims to improve a building’s performance across a variety of “green” areas. Additional information on obtaining LEED certification is provided in OLR Report 2014-R-0200.
Several states have implemented incentive programs to encourage private sector building owners and developers to pursue LEED certification for their buildings. These incentives include financial incentives such as grants, tax credits, rebates, and priority permit processing.
In Connecticut, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Office of Policy and Management administer the Green Buildings Tax Credit Program which provides a tax incentive for building owners and developers of certain commercial properties that meet or exceed the LEED gold certification standard.
Many states and local governments also offer incentives that could be used to achieve LEED certification, but do not specifically require certification in order to qualify for the incentive.
For more information, read the full report.
