About RTP

Who We Are:

Our campus is one of the largest “green” buildings in the world it provides numerous examples of how to reduce and even avoid pollution. This campus is the largest in the EPA Agency. It was built keeping in mind the impact it may have on the environment:

pollution
water
land
energy use

What We Do:

The major center for air pollution research and regulation is on the RTP campus. The organizations work together to create a cleaner environment by focusing on three major functions:

Administration and Management is responsible for resources and financial management

Regulations of air quality is the responsibility of the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS)

Research and Development is conducted at the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), and National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Some of the issues that are researched by these organizations:

Global climate change is studied in NHEERL

Chemicals are researched to provide scientific understanding, information, and assessment tools (NERL)

Technologies, Aging Water Infrastructure, and Energy and the Environment are three areas of research in NRMRL

NCEA translates the results of ORD's research into information that other EPA offices can use to develop regulations and make enforcement decisions

NHSRC manages homeland security research and technical assistance efforts

What We Don’t Do:

There are a lot of problems that the public may think we handle, but is the responsibility of another Agency. When environmental issues arise, it may be most appropriate for you to contact your city, county, or state environmental or health Agency rather than EPA.

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources [NCDENR] is the Agency to contact for matters regarding odors, ponds, spills, open burning, and anti-freeze. This Agency also helps with information such as who is responsible for cleaning up stormwater and runoff, mold and mildew, illegal dumping, grease, fat, and oil.

History:

The Agency began planning the RTP campus in the 1990’s, but it wasn’t until 2001 that the “green” building was completed and occupied. Once completed, it became home to one of the worlds largest groups of scientists, engineers, policy makers, and administrative staff with the main goal of solving environmental issues. The campus was designed with the best laboratories and offices in support of the Agency’s mission. In fact, the RTP campus was designed with several environmental-friendly features:

Main Building uses 40 % less energy compared to standard buildings of equal size

The surface area for roads, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces is minimized, preserving green space, reducing stormwater runoff, and increasing groundwater recharge

The buildings were placed along the natural contours of the land, reducing the need for grading and limiting disruption to existing woodlands and wetlands

Recycle bins and receptacles are placed in individual offices and in common areas to maximize employee recycling

“Green” buildings reduce adverse impacts on the environment and health throughout their entire life cycle from the acquisition of materials, transportation, construction, use and eventual disuse. “Green” buildings in RTP include:

Energy conservation is based on the amount of energy used on campus. For example, this campus uses 40% less energy for a projected savings of more than one million dollars per year conserving non-renewable fossil fuels and reducing air emissions.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is based on the air you breathe. Asthma and mold fall under IAQ.

Waste recycling occurs when materials such as bottles, cans, and newspapers are turned into valuable resources. There are a number of benefits to recycling.

Sustainability refers to meeting our needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Topics included in sustainable design:

Environmental Requirements
Environmental Impact of Materials
Waste Materials Management and Recycling
Sustainable design requirement
Guidance for Construction Waste Management

General Information:

Contact us by completing the Contact form or use the How to Search feature of the employee directory.

Over the years, this facility has received numerous honors related to the efforts of creating facilities and programs that support human health and the planet.

Tours:

The RTP campus is proud to be one of the largest models of "Green” building in the world. We are happy to host school, civic, industry and other groups to promote the ideas adapted during the construction of the RTP facility. Groups can request “green” building tours that will educate them on the various research efforts performed at our location. Please explore the virtual tour where you will find more information about different tours.

Schedule a “Green” building tour for your group, via (919) 541-4844 or email Antoinette Golding (golding.antoinette@epa.gov) or Beth Thompson (thompson.beth@epa.gov)

Schedule a Research Program Tour via (919)-541-4577 or email Deborah Janes (janes.deborah@epa.gov)

Visitors Information:

The campus map (PDF, 1 pp., 108 KB, about PDF) includes a legend that guides you to Alexander Drive (main entrance), Hopson Road (secondary entrance), as well as visitor parking.

Area Restaurants (PDF, 1 pp., 3.10 MB, about PDF):

Kemps Seafood Restaurant
Ruby Tuesday’s
Bombay Grille

Area Information:

RTP hotels
transportation
newspapers
universities
points of interest

What to Expect When Visiting Our Campus:

All visitors must show a photo I.D. and complete the visitor's log. The security guard will issue a visitor's badge which must be worn in plain sight at all times. The guard will phone the employee and inform them of a visitor in the lobby.

Facts:

As of July 2008 the largest employers in the RTP include: IBM Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Cisco, Nortel, RTI International, Fidelity Investments, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NetApp, Biogen Idec, Sony Ericsson

With more than 2,000 employees and contractors, this is EPA’s largest operation outside of Washington, DC

Agency’s major location for air pollution and health research

Covers nearly 1.5 million square feet housing state-of-the-art labs (600), and offices (2000), cafeteria, library, and conference facilities

One of the largest “green” buildings in the world. In fact, Merchandise Mart, located in Chicago is the largest “green” building in the world

While every effort was made to minimize land clearing, many plants would have been lost if not for the rescue effort; volunteers transplanted more than 3,500 native plants to nearby locations

The North Carolina Department of Transportation named EPA-RTP as one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters in 2007

Native grasses, wildflowers, wetlands, and forests allow all storm water runoff to be treated naturally before flowing into local streams

Located near 4 major universities: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University

About RTP

Local Navigation