Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex Wins National Energy and Water Conservation Award
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a 2010 Federal Energy and Water Management Award to the headquarters office and visitors center of the Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex, located on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Cheney, Washington. The award was presented for the building's outstanding sustainable, integrated design and energy and water conservation features.
The refuge complex includes Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
"We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes our efforts to meet President Obama's goals on environmental, energy and economic performance," said Robyn Thorson, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Regional Director. "The Service's recently announced Climate Change Strategic Plan provides tangible steps we are taking to meet these goals, and this facility represents this new focus and approach."
The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies at federal facilities. Winners of the 2010 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards were honored at a ceremony earlier this month in Washington, D.C.
The 6,957 square-foot headquarters and visitors center at the Inland Northwest Complex incorporates numerous energy- saving strategies, including super-insulation, a cool roof, energy-efficient LED lighting with occupancy sensors, triple-paned low-emissivity windows, optimal building orientation, and local stone and concrete to enhance thermal mass and help maintain comfortable temperatures. The main building uses a 14.35-ton geothermal heat pump with an overhead electric forced- air system for heating and cooling, a 4.9- kilowatt grid-tied solar photovoltaic array for electricity, and a flat-plate roof-mounted solar collector system for hot water. To conserve water, the grounds are landscaped with native plant species; low-flow plumbing fixtures were used; and bioswales were installed for parking lot runoff. Most building materials have a high recycled content, and more than half of the construction waste was recycled. The efficient design reduces energy use by about 32% over an average building, and the 15.5 megawatt-hours of renewable power save at least 10 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
These efforts are important because building construction and operations account for about half of the national energy budget and a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions (nationally, electrical power used to light, heat and cool buildings is fueled principally by coal). "Numerous design and construction practices, technologies and standards are needed to reduce building energy use dramatically," Regional Director Thorson said, "and it is important for federal facilities to lead the way."
Lisa Langelier, Project Leader of the Inland Northwest NWR Complex, said that incorporating so many cutting-edge technologies and features into the design and construction of the building "was a great cooperative experience" with engineers, builders and technicians.
"I want to especially thank building contractors Northern Management Services, Inc. (Larry Smith, Project Manager, and Travis Thompson, Site Superintendent), Calvin Jordan Associates, Inc (Garry Moore, Architect) and many other subcontractors who invested in the success of this building (J-U-B Engineering, Michael Tagles, Meulink Engineering, HydroSci, and Holliday Heating and Air Conditioning)," Langelier said.
The facility's principal conservation features are being mirrored in subsequent construction projects at Turnbull NWR. The maintenance shop has been upgraded with alternative energy heating, hot water and electrical systems; improved insulation; efficient lighting, windows, doors, skylights, and high bay fans. The fire cache has been upgraded with improved insulation and a solar thermal hot water system. The new bunkhouse will have alternative energy HVAC and domestic water systems, triple-paned windows, expansive foam insulation, high mass concrete and masonry and a number of other energy efficient features.
The visitor area of the new headquarters will include information describing the sustainability and energy efficiency of the buildings.
Turnbull NWR offers recreational and educational opportunities year-round, with about 49,000 visitors each year.
Each year the U.S. Department of Energy, in conjunction with the Federal Interagency Energy Policy Committee, sponsors the Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. These awards honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the efficient use of energy and water resources within the federal government.
Awards recognize outstanding achievements across the following areas:
Energy and water efficiency and conservation. Renewable energy implementation. Sustainable practices for high performance buildings. Fleet and transportation management.
See the following website for more information:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/awards_fewm.html
The refuge complex includes Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge.
"We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes our efforts to meet President Obama's goals on environmental, energy and economic performance," said Robyn Thorson, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Regional Director. "The Service's recently announced Climate Change Strategic Plan provides tangible steps we are taking to meet these goals, and this facility represents this new focus and approach."
The Federal Energy and Water Management Awards recognize individuals, groups and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, water conservation and the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies at federal facilities. Winners of the 2010 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards were honored at a ceremony earlier this month in Washington, D.C.
The 6,957 square-foot headquarters and visitors center at the Inland Northwest Complex incorporates numerous energy- saving strategies, including super-insulation, a cool roof, energy-efficient LED lighting with occupancy sensors, triple-paned low-emissivity windows, optimal building orientation, and local stone and concrete to enhance thermal mass and help maintain comfortable temperatures. The main building uses a 14.35-ton geothermal heat pump with an overhead electric forced- air system for heating and cooling, a 4.9- kilowatt grid-tied solar photovoltaic array for electricity, and a flat-plate roof-mounted solar collector system for hot water. To conserve water, the grounds are landscaped with native plant species; low-flow plumbing fixtures were used; and bioswales were installed for parking lot runoff. Most building materials have a high recycled content, and more than half of the construction waste was recycled. The efficient design reduces energy use by about 32% over an average building, and the 15.5 megawatt-hours of renewable power save at least 10 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
These efforts are important because building construction and operations account for about half of the national energy budget and a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions (nationally, electrical power used to light, heat and cool buildings is fueled principally by coal). "Numerous design and construction practices, technologies and standards are needed to reduce building energy use dramatically," Regional Director Thorson said, "and it is important for federal facilities to lead the way."
Lisa Langelier, Project Leader of the Inland Northwest NWR Complex, said that incorporating so many cutting-edge technologies and features into the design and construction of the building "was a great cooperative experience" with engineers, builders and technicians.
"I want to especially thank building contractors Northern Management Services, Inc. (Larry Smith, Project Manager, and Travis Thompson, Site Superintendent), Calvin Jordan Associates, Inc (Garry Moore, Architect) and many other subcontractors who invested in the success of this building (J-U-B Engineering, Michael Tagles, Meulink Engineering, HydroSci, and Holliday Heating and Air Conditioning)," Langelier said.
The facility's principal conservation features are being mirrored in subsequent construction projects at Turnbull NWR. The maintenance shop has been upgraded with alternative energy heating, hot water and electrical systems; improved insulation; efficient lighting, windows, doors, skylights, and high bay fans. The fire cache has been upgraded with improved insulation and a solar thermal hot water system. The new bunkhouse will have alternative energy HVAC and domestic water systems, triple-paned windows, expansive foam insulation, high mass concrete and masonry and a number of other energy efficient features.
The visitor area of the new headquarters will include information describing the sustainability and energy efficiency of the buildings.
Turnbull NWR offers recreational and educational opportunities year-round, with about 49,000 visitors each year.
Each year the U.S. Department of Energy, in conjunction with the Federal Interagency Energy Policy Committee, sponsors the Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. These awards honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the efficient use of energy and water resources within the federal government.
Awards recognize outstanding achievements across the following areas:
See the following website for more information:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/awards_fewm.html
