Cost/benefit issues   Many LEED projects have higher upfront costs, which may add 4-10% to the initial costs, but there are the long-term cost savings of operation and maintenance resulting from factors such as cost reduced water consumption, reduced demand on non-renewable resources, lowered energy costs, reduced impacts associated eco-friendly maintenance and operational practices. Also because LEED is still a fairly new idea, people are still learning the process. There are courses that provide certification of LEED knowledge and having a LEED certified professional on the project adds 1 point. The goal of LEED standards is to create a demand for green buildings that will in turn improve the health of the people who use it and the environment where we get our resources.       To encourage green design, many municipalities and organizations are offering incentives for commercial and residential projects to meet LEED standards. Incentives may include monetary benefits such as reduced development fees, tax breaks, reimbursements of some initial project costs and project process benefits such as technical advices and information, project advocacy, and increase project density. (Calkin, 2002)       It is a plus for professionals to know LEED. Many requests for proposals are asking for knowledge of the LEED standards and for how to achieve it.