Norfolk Operations Center Achieves LEED Gold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sep 30, 2010 via NPPD.com

Norfolk, Neb. – Nebraska Public Power District announced today that the District’s new Norfolk Operations Center has been awarded LEED® Gold certification, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

“This is an important milestone in the NOC project,” said NPPD’s Senior Project Manager Guy Evasco, who oversaw planning and construction of the facility. “From early on, NPPD’s Board of Directors made it clear that environmental stewardship was an important component of this project. By attaining LEED Gold certification, NPPD’s commitment to the environment is documented. We’re not only talking ‘green,’ we’re backing up our words with actions,” Evasco commented.

The Norfolk Operations Center achieved LEED Gold certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, the NOC will save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment.

It was estimated by an engineer from HDR Engineering, Inc., the architectural and engineering firm contracted to assist with the NOC project, that because of LEED design, construction and operation, the NOC will, on average, see an energy savings of 34 percent over typical, non-green, building construction and operation practices.

NPPD’s new facility was built to consolidate four separate operations, materials storage and customer service locations in Norfolk. The NOC was constructed to replace outdated, aging buildings and to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.

Construction was completed, and the facility officially went live on Sept. 13, a month ahead of schedule and under budget. Highlights of the new facility include an educational, interactive kiosk in the lobby, as well as three demonstration wind turbines and a large solar photovoltaic system that will supply about 7 percent of the building’s electric energy needs. The landscaping, when complete, will feature native species of plants and grasses, and it will require very little water to thrive.