Research Triangle Park Main Building
1,088,201 gross square feet (GSF)
Energy Intensity:
FY 2022: 230,642 Btu per GSF
59.2% reduction from FY 2003
Water Intensity:
FY 2022: 9.14 gallons per GS
59.2% reduction from FY 2007
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
This consolidated laboratory and office complex houses EPA employees from the Office of Research and Development; the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards; and the Office of Mission Support. In addition to the Main facility, EPA occupies several other buildings in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, including:
Sustainable Features
- The building’s A-wing addition received the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Gold for New Construction (version 2009) certification in March 2015 and the ENERGY STAR® in 2015. The A-wing addition also meets the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings.
- EPA completed an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) at the Main Building in 2021, and all energy conservation measures were operational by the beginning of FY 2022. Improvements included high-temperature hot water piping installation; ventilation and controls replacement; heating, cooling and air flow upgrades; optimization of the boiler system that provides hot water and steam to research areas; and installation of 15,000 LED light bulbs and replacement of light fixtures. These improvements are expected to reduce the Main Building’s energy consumption by 37 percent and utility costs by $2.5 million.
- A heat recovery system reduces the facility’s energy use by approximately 5 percent.
- A 55-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of Building E that employs a thin-film technology was installed as part of a comprehensive roof replacement. EPA also funded a 52.5-kW polycrystalline PV system on the roof of Building B with the energy cost savings realized through completed energy conservation projects.
- An innovative air handler condensate recovery system at the Main Building collects 6 to 8 million gallons of water annually from air handlers on the four main buildings of the campus to be used as cooling tower make-up water.
- Water-efficient fixtures throughout the facility include flow-restricting nozzles, automated shutoff and hot and cold water delivery systems with automatic temperature controls.
- Stormwater runoff is naturally treated by plant material onsite to remove contaminants. Bioretention cells are used to absorb, filter and slow runoff. Natural woodlands and wildflower plantings are used in place of turf grass to minimize the use of water, fertilizer and pesticides.
- The facility has a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station. The charging station can charge two vehicles at a time and is available to government and non-government vehicles.
For more information, visit the RTP campus website or the EPA Facility Contact List.