Improved submittal templates are now available for LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB): Operations & Maintenance in LEED Online.

The new submittal templates streamline the LEED certification process in several ways. They offer clearer instructions on required documentation, including explicit guidance for multi-tenant buildings; offer several documentation options for many credits; exempt project teams from certain submittals if appropriate; document exemplary performance points within the credits they are based on; pre-screen credits for a valid performance period; and collect generic project data together in a new "general submittal" template.

The templates are available on the Registered Project Tools page. Featured tools include definitions of key terms, minimum requirements for programs and plans, credit calculators, and tools to help streamline the certification application.

Projects currently registered under LEED for Existing Buildings v2.0 are encouraged, but not required, to upgrade to the new version, says the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED-EB: Operations & Maintenance has been reengineered with a goal of providing a clear focus on the operations and maintenance of owner-occupied and multi-tenant commercial buildings. The goal of the new version is to maximize building performance over time, ensuring a high return on investment.