Golden, Colorado

This facility features the following green attributes:
Green Power
Water Management Plan

Region 8 Laboratory

Total Facility Area: 50,839 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 32 persons

FY 2003 Energy Consumption*: 19,625,173,206 Btu per year
FY 2003 Btu per GSF per Year: 386,026
FY 2012 Energy Consumption: 17,695,986,840 Btu per year
FY 2012 Btu per GSF per Year: 348,079; 9.8 percent reduction from the baseline

FY 2007 Water Consumption**: 3,561,000 gallons per year
FY 2007 Gallons per GSF per Year: 70.0
FY 2012 Water Consumption: 3,604,000 gallons per year
FY 2012 Gallons per GSF per Year: 70.9; 1.2 percent increase from the baseline

All energy and water data are reported as of FY 2012.
*FY 2003 is the standard baseline year used by the federal government to measure energy conservation progress.
**FY 2007 is the standard baseline year used by the federal government to measure water conservation progress.

Description

EPA staff at the Region 8 Laboratory perform physical, chemical, biological, and microbiological analyses of water, soil, air, plant, and tissue samples. The data generated by these studies is used in the Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP), enforcement projects, and remediation projects. Many of these projects are undertaken to ensure successful restoration of contaminated ecosystems. The Region 8 Laboratory was dedicated in 1998.

Awards

Mark Burkhardt and Gregory Saunders of the Region 8 Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, received a fiscal year (FY) 2010 Leading Edge Award for their continued work investigating energy management tools and energy reduction equipment and methods during facility projects, modifications, remodels, and utility usages. Specific projects include: implementation of electrical submetering; identification and cost analyses for replacement of individual occupant task lighting to LED table top fixtures; data center/server room sub-metering and tracking; investigation of renewable energy solar equity purchasing; and electric car charging/outlet station feasibility analysis.

Unique Environmental Features

Energy Conservation

The Region 8 Laboratory's ventilation system conserves energy after hours by reducing the system by 25 percent of its maximum volume. The system is divided into seven zones so that if employees are working late in a particular area of the facility, only that area will have 100 percent air exchange capacity.
The operating condition of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in the laboratory is monitored by a direct digital control system and alerts engineers when equipment is not operating correctly or optimally, saving time, money, and energy by addressing problems immediately.

Green Power

EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at the Region 8 Laboratory with renewable energy certificates (RECs) purchased through the Agency's blanket green power contract. Learn more about EPA's blanket green power contracts.

Water Conservation

In September 2012, the Region 8 Laboratory revised its water management plan (PDF) (12 pp, 1.4MB, About PDF).
In May 2012, the Region 8 Laboratory completed an irrigation system optimization project to improve the system's efficiency. This project involved: replacing and raising sprinkler heads; adjusting the location of sprinklers and spray arcs; installing a rain sensor on the irrigation controller; and implementing a new irrigation schedule. With proper management, the new system will cut irrigation water use 20 to 30 percent, saving as much as 730,000 gallons of water per year.

For More Information About This Facility

Website: www.epa.gov/region8/

Gregory Saunders (saunders.gregory@epa.gov)
16194 W 45th Drive
Golden, CO 80403
Phone: (303) 312-7709
Fax: (303) 312-7800