Which projects are NOT eligible for LEED certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification aims to promote sustainable building practices and reduce environmental impact. Projects that utilize CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) based refrigerants are not eligible for certification due to the harmful effects these substances have on the ozone layer, which is a goal counterproductive to the principles of LEED. The program encourages the use of refrigerants that are more environmentally friendly.

The inclusion of a CFC phase-out plan is essential for existing building projects. If a project is using CFC-based refrigerants and does not have a plan to phase them out, it fails to align with LEED's sustainability goals, thus rendering it ineligible for certification.

When considering the other option regarding residential projects built after 2000, LEED does not disqualify these projects based on age alone. In fact, LEED has specific guidelines that may even favor newer construction if they meet the necessary criteria for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Therefore, both a new building and an existing building project that employs CFC-based refrigerants without a phase-out plan are not eligible for certification, making the collective consideration accurate.