Fort Meade, Maryland

This facility features the following green attributes:
Green Power
Water Management Plan
Mechanical Upgrades
Re-commissioned
Native Landscaping

Environmental Science Center (ESC)

Total Facility Area: 162,799 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 168 persons
Energy Consumption: 51,853,264,994 Btu per year
Btu per GSF per Year: 318,511
Total Water Consumption: 3,649,000 gallons per year
Gallons per GSF per Year: 22.4

All energy and water data are reported as of FY 2011.

Description

The Environmental Science Center (ESC), completed in April 1999, houses the Region 3 Office of Analytical Services and Quality Assurance (OASQA) and the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances' (OPPTS) Analytical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories. The laboratory portion of the building is divided into 70 work areas dedicated to organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, microbiology, and other scientific activities.

Awards

Rick Dreisch, former facility manager of ESC, received a fiscal year (FY) 2010 Btu Buster Award for helping the laboratory to achieve energy intensity savings of 10.5 percent in FY 2010 compared to FY 2009, due to close monitoring and optimization of boiler operations and active administrative management of capital equipment.
Rick Dreisch also received an FY 2010 Leading Edge Award for facilitating the implementation of a major water-saving project that re-pipes air handler condensate from air handling units to feed cooling tower water, reusing water that would have drained into the sewer system. The completion of this project helped ESC achieve water intensity and cost savings of 8 percent in FY 2010 compared to FY 2009.

Unique Environmental Features

Energy Conservation

EPA initiated an extensive audit of the facility's ventilation system and collected baseline airflow data in FY 2006. Based on the recommendations of this evaluation, EPA is developing a revised ventilation plan that established new set points to meet reduced air flow demand. In the third phase of this project, scheduled for completion in FY 2013, EPA will fully implement the ventilation plan and recommission the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and controls to ensure optimum efficiency and continued employee safety and comfort.
The facility maximizes natural light and augments it with energy-efficient electrical lighting. Direct digital controls monitor the status of mechanical systems throughout the building to maintain efficiency. Variable air volume fume hoods for laboratory spaces minimize heating and cooling costs while maintaining a safe working environment.

Green Power

EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at the Environmental Science Center 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 August 2009, EPA updated its water management plan for the Fort Meade laboratory (PDF) (18 pp, 270K, About PDF).
Native plants were planted or maintained on the 24-acre site, reducing irrigation and pesticide requirements. Efforts were made to save as many trees as possible and to integrate natural landscaping to minimize areas of mowing.

Stormwater Management

EPA employees in Fort Meade, Maryland, helped construct a rain garden with native grasses, goldenrod, coneflowers, and rain chains to help reduce splash erosion as stormwater falls from roof gutters to the garden. Rain gardens direct runoff into landscaped depressions beneath garden surfaces where stormwater is filtered and detained as it soaks into the ground or is absorbed by plants.

For More Information About This Facility

Website: www.epa.gov/region3/esc/

Jeffrey Dodd (dodd.jeff@epa.gov)
701 Mapes Road
Fort Meade, MD 20755-5350
Phone: (410) 305-2654