PG&E Diablo Canyon support facility recognized for innovative green design

Kendall Road Facility receives accolades from U.S. Green Building Council

December 18, 2014


SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.— Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) newest building in San Luis Obispo has been recognized for its innovative green design by the U.S. Green Building Council's California Central Coast Chapter (USGBC).

 

The recognition was announced following the USGBC's 2014 Green Awards Gala in Santa Barbara. At the gathering, PG&E and its architect RRM Design Group received the LEED Parade-Energy Efficiency Award, and honorable mention in the award category of Green New Construction, for incorporating environmentally sustainable and energy efficient designs in the construction of the new facility. The 10,000 square foot office building, located on Kendall Road, will support the utility's operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant.

 

"PG&E is committed to being a good steward of the environment and a responsible neighbor in the communities we live in and serve," said Ed Halpin, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer at PG&E. "This commitment extends to our building practices and investing in energy efficient projects that support local economies and result in minimal impacts to the environment. We, along with RRM and the entire design and construction team, are honored to receive this recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council."

 

Energy efficiency was built into the Kendall Road facility from the outset, including determining an advantageous location to maximize sunlight. Design measures that contribute to the building's overall energy efficiency include its roof design to maximize cooling, high performance LED lighting and efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. A 50 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system is also being installed that is expected to offset more than 30 percent of the building's total energy costs. Overall, the annual energy usage of the building is estimated to be 60 percent less than the median property, resulting in a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

 

The new facility was also built with water conversation at the forefront, and employs designs that result in water usage that is nearly half that of median facilities. Additionally, the building incorporates the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled steel and other products, in the framing and interior design.

 

Efforts to reduce transportation and traffic impacts were also a focus in the building's construction, leading to the installation of bicycle storage, preferential parking for low emissions and fuel efficient vehicles, and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Once the facility is operable, several business groups that currently commute to Diablo Canyon each day will be relocated to the new facility, helping PG&E to further reduce emissions and its carbon impact.

 

In total, more than 70,000 hours were invested in the building's construction, providing economic boosts for local companies and supporting jobs for local workers.

 

"The building design and practices employed in this project are the result of PG&E's decision to go green and have this facility constructed from the outset with environmental sustainability in mind," said Erik Justesen, President and CEO of RRM. "This project was built through a team method where PG&E first hired the design team and shortly thereafter selected a contractor, Anderson-Burton Construction, who was brought in early to work in collaboration with us to design and build the facility with LEED and sustainability objectives in mind. The result is an energy efficient, environmentally responsible building for PG&E and this community."

 

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council's building certification program that recognizes best-in-class green building strategies and practices. LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy. A number of PG&E facilities throughout its Northern and Central California service territory have been certified under the LEED program. PG&E will apply for the coveted certification for the new Kendall Road facility next year.

About Diablo Canyon Power Plant

Diablo Canyon Power Plant is a nuclear power facility owned and operated by PG&E. Its two units together produce approximately 2,300 net megawatts of carbon-free power. It provides nearly 10 percent of all electricity generated in California, and enough energy to meet the needs of more than three million Northern and Central Californians. Diablo Canyon has a $920 million annual local economic impact and is the largest private employer in San Luis Obispo County.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.