A National Nuclear Security Administration facility in Albuquerque, N.M., received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a first for any of the agency’s roughly 1,000 buildings.
The John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex Facility, a satellite campus that provides high-performance computing, research and engineering capabilities to nearby Los Alamos National Laboratory, recently received the designation, also called LEED.
“The LEED Platinum certification is a testament to NNSA’s dedication to reducing the environmental impact of its facilities while supporting its critical national security mission,” NNSA said in an Aug. 7 statement.
The Gordon Complex was recognized for sustainable features including a 30% reduction in energy consumption and a 44% reduction in potable water consumption.
The campus features 200 kilowatts of rooftop photovoltaic solar arrays with a planned 325-kilowatt expansion, a recycling program that decreases landfill material by 50% during operation and a 77% diversion of waste from landfills during construction. It also sports ergonomic office furniture, drought-tolerant and native landscaping, rainwater collection, 16 electric vehicle charging stations, and 48 bicycle lockers.
LEED is a globally recognized green building rating system that provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built to achieve energy savings, water efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, improved indoor environmental quality and resource stewardship.
LEED Platinum certification is the highest level of LEED certification and requires a project to earn a minimum of 80 points across several categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
The John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex is the first NNSA facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification, “demonstrating the NNSA’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” the agency said.
