May 20, 2009

Charlotte, NC -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will celebrate Thursday achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in a dedication ceremony for the new Environmental Services Facility and its public artwork. The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at 4222 Westmont Drive.

This LEED certification is the first among Charlotte city government buildings. LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council's leading rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings. It verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return.

The Utilities building has a number of environmentally sound components, including:

• Energy-saving strategies, such as daylighting and a reflective roof, that save about 20 percent in energy.
• Sustainable materials, such as recycled carpet and linoleum flooring made from flax.
• Water-saving features, such as low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping, that reduce water needs by 24 percent.
• Materials that protect indoor air quality and strategies for reducing storm water runoff.

The $12.2 million facility houses 80 employees that administer the utility's wastewater treatment division and laboratory staff that test drinking water, wastewater and groundwater. LEED certification at this building is especially meaningful for the City because of the unique energy demands of being a state-of-the-art lab. Utilities estimates that constructing the ESF as a sustainable building added just 2 to 3 percent to the overall cost and expects a five-and-a-half year payback to offset those.

"Earning LEED certification at this building is something that benefits not only our employees and visitors but all our customers," said Director Doug Bean. "It verifies that we've made conscious decisions with ratepayer dollars that protect the environment, support the local economy and have long-term efficiencies that will keep the space functional for decades."

These long-term benefits also advance City of Charlotte goals for environmental stewardship.

"Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The Environmental Services Facility efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come."