Mark,
I am glad you posted this, as I have not heard / seen anything regarding this LEED Score -vs- Contractors' Licensing.
I have seen the LEED term tossed around here and there, but nothing about licensing qualifications has been mentioned at the CSLB or the CBC sites (including the Energy Commission pages + all other Title 24's for the CCR).
Then again, I was not really looking for this stuff, so LEED qualification may be "buried" somewhere on one of the california sites.
If Non-Residential Standards in your area will be "Stricter" than the current Code Cycle for T24 Part 6, chapters 4 and 5 (2005 cycle), than you have a lot to deal with!
Indoor Lighting Compliance ("LTG-C") has changed dramatically, from the previous 2001 cycle, and now includes verification of installed devices forms to be filled out and followed before C.O. is issued.
Outdoor Lighting Compliance ("OLTG-C") is a new and separate chapter, with compliance forms and closeout forms.
What's really odd is the Residential Compliance (Lighting only).
Found this out just recently when performing some "paperwork" (plans, load calcs, etc.) regarding a 4plex Apartment my Father is doing.
There are no _Maximum_ Lighting Power figures per areas (Non-Residential has about 20 areas with watts per square foot maximums); but there are requirements for high efficacy Lighting in specific location - and allowances for use of low efficacy lighting in certain areas, if controlled via automatic devices.
I imagine the remainder of the Residential Compliance points (Envelope / Fenestration, HVAC, Plumbing) have been totally beefed up, as viewed by the previous code cycle.
A job I am finishing up (Non-Residential) has Electric Resistance Heating elements specified in the Fan Coils (Split System).
The MEP sets were approved by the City's Outsourced Plans Examiners, and the City also approved them.
Thing is, this particular City's Inspection staff is really paying attention to energy compliance, so let's see what happens when Final Inspection comes along!
Something will raise flags, when the Inspector sees 100 Amp, 3 Pole disconnects and 1" Conduits feeding the F.C.s - but who knows, maybe this will go unnoticed!
Anyhow, please keep me informed on the LEED situation, and I will search myself.
As Scott (Electure) said:
They will build elsewhere.
This is exactly what businesses will do or contemplate!
My views on this whole Energy thing run too deep (and enter the "Dale Gribble" conspiracy angle on several occasions).
Prior to the 2001 energy fiasco, the T24 part 6 compliance _DID_ work! AND resulted in a higher quality of Lighting + Cooling - along with reducing the level of natural resources demand, the output pollutants, and even the demands on the Power Generating Plants in California (not to mention the demand required from "Grid" purchased KWHs).
Now things are all screwed up, and I for one am PISSED!!!
Scott