What is the purpose of the "Regional Materials" credit in MR?

• A. To reduce transportation impact and support regional economies by using locally sourced materials.
• B. To increase imports of materials with high recycled content.
• C. To standardize all materials nationwide regardless of region.
• D. To assess aesthetic qualities of regional materials.

Answer: (A)

Regional Materials focuses on where building materials come from, rewarding products that are sourced from the area around the project. The idea is that shorter supply chains reduce transportation-related energy use and emissions, while also supporting local economies and jobs. Materials count toward this credit when the extraction, processing, and manufacturing occur within the defined regional radius around the project site, encouraging consideration of nearby suppliers and resources. This emphasis on locality aligns with environmental and economic goals, rather than importing high recycled-content materials, standardizing nationwide practices, or evaluating aesthetics.