What is sustainability, and how does it affect me as an applicant?
Sustainability is something every applicant needs to understand during the application period, and be prepared to implement it in your construction project if awarded as per Executive Order 13423.

The SCG Program Guidance provides the following general guidelines: Infrastructure projects must incorporate the sustainable practices listed in the Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovations as required in Executive Order 13423. In addition, infrastructure projects should achieve United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) registration at certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level. Achieving LEED™ certification does not automatically mean achievement of the requirements Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovations . This is why the spread sheet tracks completion of requirements in the Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovation. It is important to describe plans to achieve both conditions.

For additional information, visit: http://www.ofee.gov/eo/eo13423_main.asp
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What is the Sustainability ARRA Environmental Spreadsheet?
The Sustainability Excel Spreadsheet is not required for your application. If you are awarded an SCG grant, it is mandatory to follow all the requirements of sustainability and LEED when fulfilling the scope of your project during construction or renovation.

For additional information, visit: http://www.ofee.gov/eo/eo13423_main.asp
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What is LEED?
LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs across the metrics of: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) , LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle, design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fit out, and significant retrofit. And, LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.
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What version of this standard will we be responsible for if we are awarded an SCG grant?
The SCG Program Guidance states:

The following describes the requirements to meet the energy requirements for ARRA projects. These requirements apply to all construction and major renovation projects. For each item below, select “Requirement Met” or “Requirement Not Met,” and then explain how this was determined. Answers such as “Not Applicable” or “Does Not Apply” are not appropriate. It is recognized, in some instances, not meeting the requirement is justified. The only explanation for “Requirement Not Met” must be in the justification. For example, a renovation project where existing electrical infrastructure are not modified, and electricity meters are already in place, installing advanced meters would not be necessarily.

If you have questions on levels of certification or variances of these levels of certification, visit the United States Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org/Default.aspx .
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