EPB celebrated the LEED Silver certification of its downtown headquarters building by sharing best practices for sustainability with a Green Business Expo for area businesses. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the world’s most widely used green building program.
EPB updated its headquarters building certification and met USGBC’s LEED Silver requirements this summer using specific performance criteria. EPB achieved its initial LEED certification in 2013 using the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings rating system, the first for an existing commercial building in Chattanooga. In addition to its work with LEED, EPB was also the first municipal utility to achieve PEER certification for its leadership in improving efficiency, day-to-day reliability and resiliency of its power systems, said officials.
“Sharing the sustainability practices that we have learned over the years with other businesses aligns with our common interests for being good environmental stewards,” said EPB Director of Community and Environmental Stewardship Elizabeth Hammitt.
Since 2013, EPB employees have been enhancing their ongoing efforts to conserve energy and water, use alternative transportation, improving indoor air quality and waste recycling programs.
EPB’s Green Business Expo shared expertise included:
Staples: Eco-friendly office supply products
RBS: Green cleaning products and processes
Cleaning Solutions: Green cleaning products and processes
WestRock/City of Chattanooga: Office Recycling
Atlas Organics: Commercial composting
Green Trips: Platform for alternative commuting, corporate green travel goals
Green Spaces: Green Light Certification Program
EPB Green Culture Team/Green Building Leaders: Corporate green team organization
EPB E-Team: Employees trained in energy solutions and community outreach
EPB Solar Share: Renewable energy products to fit organizational sustainability goals
“The Electric Power Board of Chattanooga continues to be a leader in improving the efficiency and performance of our built environment," said Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president and CEO. "As one of America’s largest publicly-owned utilities, their use of LEED and PEER together helps set the standard for sustainable buildings and power systems. By measuring and tracking the performance of our buildings, power systems, and more, we can continue to find new ways to create more sustainable spaces that positively impact our own health and well-being. LEED and PEER certification work together to secure a better future."
“Our employees’ efforts demonstrate how people can work together with a common purpose to improve quality of life in more efficient, sustainable work spaces,” said EPB President and CEO David Wade.