EPA New England: Greening Our Operations

Green Buildings

Practicing the principles of green building and renovation

Green buildings may look like ordinary homes, offices and schools, but they're anything but ordinary. With improved energy and water efficiency, renewable energy technologies, natural landscaping, and the reuse of building materials, green buildings demonstrate healthier and more resource-efficient methods of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition.

Research and experience have shown that when buildings are designed and operated with their life cycle impacts in mind – from construction to demolition – they can provide great environmental, economic, and social benefits.

EPA New England's Green Laboratory

Located in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, the EPA New England Regional Laboratory incorporates numerous green building features:

• Energy efficient heating and cooling systems
• Active solar power and lighting
• Support for wind-powered electricity
• Recycled materials
• Environmentally friendly landscaping

Opened in 2001, the 66,000-square-foot building is the first EPA building nationwide to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating for sustainable design.

New England Regional Laboratory, Green Building Design
Take a virtual tour of the building, watch a slide show of the construction and learn more about its green features.

USEPA, Greening EPA, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, New England Regional Laboratory
Information about the building and its unique environmental features

EPA New England's Green Office Building

The EPA New England office in Boston is planning to move to a new location – the John W. McCormack Post Office & Courthouse in downtown Boston. EPA New England, the General Services Administration, architects, and contractors are planning the renovations of this historic Art Deco style building. The renovations will encompass the principles of green design and construction, making the newly renovated building a state-of-the-art model of environmentally-sustainable features and enhancements.

Upon completion, this facility is expected to be labeled an Energy Star building and attain the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating. The following are just a few of the planned features:

• Green roof with native plantings and a system to collect runoff and air conditioning condensation for irrigation use. This roof will serve as a model for green roof design in New England.
• Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate electricity
• Energy efficient heating and cooling systems to minimize energy consumption
• Water efficiency measures, internal and on the green roof
• Improved indoor air quality for building occupants
• Environmentally preferable materials to be used in building construction

To learn more about this project:
US EPA, Greening EPA, Boston, Massachusetts, Region 1
Goals of the project, details and graphics about the planned features

Is a green building in your future? Whether it's a residential or commercial property, many resources are available for information, technical or financial assistance. Use the links below and think about how you can enhance your bottom line, your community, and the environment with a green building.

EPA New England – Green Buildings
A portal to a wide range of information from EPA and other sources

USEPA Green Buildings EPA HQ
Information and links on green building issues and programs for a variety of building types (e.g. homes, schools, healthcare facilities). More on EPA's green building efforts around the country.

Energy Star
A government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

Green Power Partnership
Green power is electricity that is partially or entirely generated from environmentally preferable renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas, and low-impact hydro. EPA's Green Power Partnership provides assistance and recognition to organizations that demonstrate environmental leadership by choosing green power.

U.S. Green Building Council
Leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Includes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Regional education and advocacy association promoting the use of renewable energy, green buildings, and energy efficiency.

 

Regional Snapshot Our Chelmsford laboratory received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating for sustainable design.