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EGIONAL LABO RATO
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U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Letter to the People of New England
EPA New England has a duty as an environmental agency to
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KSng a high level of environmental performance ,„
all of our daily operations.
ma rials environmentally friendly landscaping improved
SS; quality —res and support for wind-powered
electricity to run the building.
We hope the benefits of EPA's New England Regional Labora-
and contacts for more information.
I hope you will join us in promoting energy efficiency and
creatingabetterenvironmentfor New England.
Robert W.Varney
Regional Administrator
EPA New England
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Energy Efficiency
The building and its components have been designed to minimize energy con-
sumption. We worked with our local utility and participated in its energy conser-
vation program, Massachusetts Electric Design ZOOOplus. Based on these efforts, the
laboratory is at least 35 percent more energy efficient than a typical laboratory. The
energy efficient systems in the building include: six modular gas-fired boilers, two water-
cooled chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy sensors, tubular skylights, energy-efficient
lights, high-efficiency motors and variable flow pumping systems, variable air volume
heating and cooling systems with night and low occupancy system setbacks, insulated
windows, highly rated insulation, and automated building management and monitoring
systems.
Water Efficiency
Water in the building will be conserved with the use of waterless urinalswhich
conserve an average of 40,000 gal. pet-year/per urinal. Restrooms are equipped
with electronic sensors on the plumbing fixtures. Outside, native trees and shrubs requiring
little water have been planted, and water diverted from roof drains will replenish on-site
wetlands. The fab uses a well on the property to supply a portion of its non-potable water
for minor irrigation.
Solar Power
Photovoltaic (solar energy producing cells) awnings shade the office windows
on the outside and reduce glare and heat gain, thus reducing the amount of
cooling needed. In addition, the awnings supply an average of 2000 watt-hours
daily to the building's electrical system. Special skylights with reflective tubing
systems bring daylight deep into the building, reducing the need for artificial light.
Green Power
EPA New England made a commitment to power its new laboratory with
100 percent green electric power. Our electricity contractor, Green Moun-
tain Power of Vermont, will generate or purchase wind-powered electricity which
matches the electrical consumption of our North Chelmsford lab, estimated at close
to 2 million kilowatt hours per year. While this will not generate cost savings, it will
help us achieve environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gases that would
have been emitted from conventional power sources.
Landscape Design
The Xeriscape landscaping incorporates many environmental factors including
soil type, use of native plants, minimal turf area, water efficient landscaping,
and mulches. By using native plants that require iittle watering and are well-suited to the
local environment, we reduce the need for irrigation and pesticides.
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U.S. EPA New England Regional Laboratory (N
Energy efficient
insulated windows
Water runoff from the
roof replenishes
on-site wetlands
Photovoltaic
window shades
produce energy
^-^V^- - rY- ' - ' ""
Original boulders provide
a natural wall
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ERL)
Northside offices reduce
required cooling
Southside loading
dock maximizes
snow and ice melt
Higher set
windows allow
more natural light
deeper into the
building
Xeriscape design uses
native plants and
minimal lawn
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Waste Handling & Recycling
Sanitary wastewater from the lab is being sent to the Lowell Regional Waste-
water Utility. All wastewater generated in laboratory portions of the building
are piped to a state-of-the-art acid neutralization system. This system uses a two-stage
neutralization process and a 500-gallon holding tank, which is activated if the wastewater
is not completely neutralized during the two-stage process. The building has an extensive
recycling program. Food waste and some landscaping debris are composted on site. Paper,
cardboard, plastics, glass, cans and batteries are also recycled.
Indoor Air Quality
A healthy indoor environment is a critical safety concern in a laboratory setting.
The largest sources of indoor air contaminants are interior building materials,
office furniture and equipment. Before any material was used in this building, it was
examined for possible effects on indoor air quality in addition to its general environmental
impact. Materials with contaminants above EPA-designated levels were not used.
Measures taken to ensure indoor air quality at the lab included low volatile organic
compound (VOC) products; strict control of formaldehyde; construction materials;
off-gassing materials before installation; cleaning of all duct work; replacing of
filters before occupancy; and the use of environmentally preferable cleaning materi-
als. Prior to occupancy, an independent indoor air quality consultant tested the
building to ensure that it was within EPA-specified requirements. An Indoor Air
Quality Control Plan is being implemented.
Environmentally Preferable Materials
Building plans utilized the resources naturally available on the site to avoid
generating unnecessary debris and to minimize site demolition. All soil and
gravel on the site was stockpiled and graded for later use as fill or loam. Blasted rock
outcroppings were crushed with a portable on:site processing plant and totaled approxi-
mately 17,500 tons. The crushed stone was used as base material for concrete paving; sub-
base for bituminous concrete pavement; backfill for footings, structures and pipe bedding;
and for under-drain filter aggregate. Reuse of materials avoided disposal costs and was
sufficient to complete the landscaping and fill work with only a minimal amount of fine
grading material (sand) brought in for finish grading.
Materials used in construction contained the highest recycled content available. Using
them eliminated pollution from extraction of new materials, transportation and manu-
facturing. Additionally, it reduced the need to dispose of the recovered materials and
encouraged recycling in the industry. The following recycled materials were used in
construction: fly-ash containing concrete (use of this type of concrete diverted 126 tons
of fly-ash from becoming part of the waste stream), steet, gypsum wallboard, ceiling
tiles, insulation and hydromulch.
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Awards for NERL
LEED Gold Rating (2003)
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system developed by
the U.S. Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more
sustainable buildings. The NERL was awarded a LEED 1.0 Gold
Rating, and was the first laboratory facility in New England, and the
first EPA building nationally, to receive a LEED rating at any level.
Presidential Closing the
Circle Award (2002)
The Closing the Circle Award was awarded to the N ERL at a White
House ceremony, for its Model Facility integrated sustainable design.
GSA National Build Green and Beyond Award (2002)
The NERL received a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) National Build Green and
Beyond Award for being a sustainable design model facility.
GSA National Demolition Derby Award (2002)
This award for incorporation of sound environmental policies in demolition and recycling, was
given for construction waste management and use of materials with high recycled content
during construction of the NERL.
Eagle Excellence in Construction
Award (2001)
The Massachusetts Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors gave this award to Erland
Construction as "the best of the best"
in the construction industry, in the category "Commercial/Institutional/Industrial Construction
Over $5 Million", for their work on the NERL.
Resources
www.epa.gov/ne/
www. epa. go v/ne/iab
EPA New England Customer Call Center
N E States:(888) 372-7341 • Outside N E:(617) 918-1111
EPA ENERGY STAR® www.energystar.gov
The U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® program provides information
on EPA initiatives to promote energy efficiency in buildings.
EPA Labs 21st Century
www.epa.gov/labs21century
Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21), sponsored by the
U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy, is a voluntary
initiative program dedicated to improving the environmental
performance of U.S. laboratories by improving laboratory
energy and water efficiency, encouraging the use of renewable
energy sources, and promoting environmental stewardship.
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Green Building Contacts for the
New England Regional Laboratory (NERL)
Bob Beane
Project Manager, NERL
U.S. EPA
11 Technology Drive
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
(617) 918-8350
email: beane.bob@epa.gov
Carol Wood
Acting Director, NERL
U.S. EPA
11 Technology Drive
North Chelmsford, MA 01863-2431
(617) 918-8300
email: wood.carol@epa.gov
William Ridge
Architect
U.S. EPA
MC 3204R
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-2165
email: ridge.william@epa.gov
John Buckley
GSA Project Manager
U.S. General Services Administration
O'Neill Federal Building, Room 915
10 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02222
(617) 565-6207
email: john.buckley@gsa.gov
© printed on 100% recycled paper, with 100% post-consumer waste, using vegetable based ink
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