Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina

Photo: RTP First Environments Early Learning Center

This facility features the following green attributes:
LEED-NC 2.1 Silver

Meets Guiding Principles
Green Power
Water Management Plan
Native Landscaping

First Environments Early Learning Center

Total Facility Area: 25,400 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 49 persons

FY 2003 Energy Consumption*: not available
FY 2003 Btu per GSF per Year: not available
FY 2012 Energy Consumption: 1,488,309,840 Btu per year
FY 2012 Btu per GSF per Year: 58,595

FY 2007 Water Consumption**: 519,122 gallons per year
FY 2007 Gallons per GSF per Year: 20.4
FY 2012 Water Consumption: 736,500 gallons per year
FY 2012 Gallons per GSF per Year: 29.0; 41.9 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. The facility came online in FY 2006, thus FY 2003 energy data are not available.
**FY 2007 is the standard baseline year used by the federal government to measure water conservation progress.

Description

Open since November 2005, the First Environments Early Learning Center (FEELC) at RTP, North Carolina, is a state-of-the art, 25,400-square-foot child care facility. FEELC enables EPA to extend child care services to 188 children and accomodates 49 FEELC staff. The building includes 20 classrooms, a large multipurpose room, a commercial-grade kitchen, infant care rooms, and an outdoor playground.

In addition to this facility, EPA occupies several other buildings in the Research Triangle Park area, including:

Unique Environmental Features

Green Power

In April 2010, a 476-panel photovoltaic system installed by Duke Power began operating on the roof of FEELC. Covering 13,000 square feet of roof, this 109-kilowatt (kW) array generated 128,652 kilowatt hours of electricity during fiscal year (FY) 2012, demonstrating EPA’s support of renewable energy.
EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at FEELC with renewable energy certificates (RECs) purchased through the Agency's blanket green power contract. Learn more about EPA's blanket green power contracts.

Green Building

In February 2008, the building received the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED^® for new construction version 2.1 Silver certification.
RTP's FEELC meets the Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings (Guiding Principles) due to its existing LEED certification.
FEELC features the following green building attributes:
- An ENERGY STAR^® qualified roof and high albedo concrete paving, which decreases heat absorption and reduces the amount of energy required for cooling.
- Energy-efficient lighting features such as occupancy sensors and daylighting dimmers.
- Native landscaping that requires no additional watering and reduces pollution from stormwater runoff.
- Locally manufacturered materials.
- Indoor air quality monitoring to ensure a healthy learning environment.

Water Conservation

In January 2009, EPA completed a water management plan that covers FEELC, RTP's Main campus, and the National Computer Center (PDF) (40 pp, 747K, About PDF).

A cistern at the RTP First Environments Early Learning Center.

One of the cisterns installed at FEELC.

Stormwater Management

In December 2010, FEELC completed installation of one 1,550-gallon cistern, which is used to collect and store rainwater for garden irrigation. The installation of a second cistern was completed in January 2011.

For More Information About This Facility

Website: www.epa.gov/rtp/childcare/daycare.htm

Alex Montilla (montilla.alex@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA
Mail Code: C604-01
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone: (919) 541-0324