Montgomery, Alabama

photo: National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL)

This facility features the following green attributes:
Green Power

Native Landscaping

National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL)

Total Facility Area: 63,148 gross square feet
Estimated Personnel: 55 persons
Energy Consumption: 8,701,159,476 Btu per year
Btu per Square Foot per Year: 137,791
Total Water Consumption: 168,000 gallons per year
Gallons per GSF per Year: 2.7

All energy and water data are reported as of FY 2008.

Description

Located on Maxwell Air Force Base, the Montgomery laboratory provides radiological monitoring data to support rulemaking and radiological emergency response activities. The Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) is the only nationwide environmental radiation monitoring network in the United States. NAREL also supports Superfund and enforcement activities with laboratory and field measurements and technical assistance for radioactive and hazardous chemical (mixed waste) contaminants. The facility includes a state-of-the-art radioanalytical laboratory and office space.

Unique Environmental Features

Energy Conservation

In FY 2007, EPA upgraded the current facility chiller system to a more efficient system with updated controls.

Green Power

EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at NAREL with renewable energy certificates (RECs) purchased through the Agency's current blanket green power contract. Learn more about EPA's current and past blanket green power contracts.

Water Conservation

In FY 2008, the National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory continued development of a water management plan.
The laboratory has eliminated all forms of single-pass equipment cooling.
No landscape irrigation water is used at the laboratory, as grasses and shrubs are climate-appropriate and survive on natural rainfall.
A new central chiller plant was recently constructed at the laboratory. Historically, cooling towers have been maintained by a cooling tower maintenance contractor that performs monthly quality, performance, and water chemistry reviews of cooling tower operation. The laboratory plans to regularly test the new towers to achieve maximum water use savings.

Other Features

All of the facility's chlorofluorocarbons were replaced by 1998.

For More Information

Contact

Michael Clark (clark.michael@epa.gov)
Maxwell AFB - Gunter Annex
540 South Morris Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36115
Fax: (334) 270-3434

Web site: www.epa.gov/narel