WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Washington Gas, a WGL company (NYSE: WGL), announced today that its new Northwest Station Fleet Facility in Rockville, Maryland, earned LEED Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), exceeding the threshold of 60 credits by 3 points.
From the outset, Washington Gas worked to verify and document that the building and all of its systems and assemblies were planned, designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained to meet LEED requirements. In addition, the facility exceeded the requirement of 13% renewable power with an almost 50 kW solar system that provides 20% of the facility’s consumed power, and implemented energy optimization, storm water management and indoor air quality systems. All of these steps ensure that the facility lowers energy usage and costs, reduces its impact on the environment and provides a safe, comfortable and healthy work environment.
“Our team received immeasurable support to achieve this goal. Without support from end users and those with area expertise within the company, a facility of this caliber could not have been achieved,” said Melissa Adams, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, WGL. “Washington Gas not only delivers energy solutions to homes and businesses, we also ensure our own buildings and facilities are as energy efficient as possible.”
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient, use less water and energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
Washington Gas implemented several key initiatives to earn LEED Gold status:
- Access to public transportation
- 20% recycled or salvaged materials used in construction and 20% regional content
- 75% of construction waste recycled or salvaged
- Water efficient landscaping
- Indoor air quality efforts including low-emitting materials in paints, coatings, floorings, and more
The new fleet building is the second WGL-owned office to be recognized in the LEED rating program. In 2012, Washington Gas’ Springfield Center achieved LEED Gold certification. In addition, as further demonstration of the company’s commitment to sustainability, leased spaces at WGL Energy’s building in Tysons is on track to earn LEED Silver, and WGL recently announced that Washington Gas is moving its headquarters to offices designed to meet LEED Gold Core and Shell green building standards at The Wharf in DC currently under construction.
For more on the company’s overall sustainability progress, please download WGL’s Sustainability report.
About Washington Gas
Washington Gas Light Company is a regulated natural gas utility providing safe, reliable natural gas service to more than 1.1 million customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. A subsidiary of WGL Holdings, Inc., the company has been providing energy to residential, commercial and industrial customers for more than 167 years.
About WGL
WGL (NYSE: WGL), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. With activities and assets across the U.S., WGL consists of Washington Gas, WGL Energy, WGL Midstream and Hampshire Gas. WGL provides options for natural gas, electricity, green power and energy services, including generation, storage, transportation, distribution, supply and efficiency. Our calling as a company is to make energy surprisingly easy for our employees, our community and all our customers. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, small business or multinational corporation, state and local or federal agency, WGL is here to provide Energy Answers. Ask Us. For more information, visit us at www.wgl.com.
