Improved submittal templates are now available for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EB: O&M) in LEED Online. The new submittal templates reportedly streamline the LEED certification process in several ways:

- 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;

- Collect generic project data together in a new “general submittal” template.

Projects currently registered under LEED for Existing Buildings v2.0 are encouraged, but not required, to upgrade to the new version. LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M has been reengineered to provide a clear focus on the operations and maintenance of owner-occupied and multi-tenant commercial buildings. The templates are available on the Registered Project Tools page ( www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1844 ). Visit www.usgbc.org for more information.