Looks like we need a little LEED primer. Fasten your seat belts ....
LEED is not a 'code' in any form that you would recognize. It is a certification issued by a private party that a project fulfills a number of that groups social goals. As such, the standards are essentially arbitrary and are most certainly NOT consistant from job to job.
The key to the certification is documentation of every aspect of a project. This includes everything from its' location, to whether there are bike racks or a bus line nearby. At the end of a job, the documentation is sent to this private group, where they review it and decide whether to 'certify' the place for a few years.
The review is based upon a scoring system. Various things are given 'points,' and the total score results in the certification of the building. The vast majority of the 'points' have absolutely nothing to do with saving energy, or even with the specifics of the building in question. For example, points are awarded if the place is in the inner ciity, or atop Love Canal. They WANT you to build in such places.
In some instances, LEED goals run smack into other code requirements. For example, they want as few lights as possible, while other codes and standards will want more lighting.
You're given points for using recycled materials. It's not enough to say 'I used steel pipe, and steel is the most recycled material in the world.' No, they want documentation from the manufacturer that the conduit contains X% recycled steel. You want to use the pipe you salvaged from another job? Lots of luck getting the Green Building Council to recognize that!
About all you can do as a contractor is follow the specs to the letter and let the chips fall where they may. The "LEED professional" is going to attempt to usurp the primary management authority on the job- so make sure change orders, RFI's, etc., are filled out.
Also: Be aware that LEED strictures WILL impact your access to the job site and your trash disposal. Don't be surprised if your guys have to park down at the bottom of the hill, and sort their trash between multiple dumpsters.
