DOE/NNSA announced today that the John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex Facility in Albuquerque, NM, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, a significant milestone and a first for NNSA.
National Nuclear Security Administration
August 7, 2023
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced today that the John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex Facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, a significant milestone and a first for NNSA.
The LEED Platinum certification is a testament to NNSA’s dedication to reducing the environmental impact of its facilities while supporting its critical national security mission. The John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex has been recognized for its state-of-the-art sustainable features, including: 30 percent reduction in energy, 44 percent reduction in potable water, 200 kW of rooftop photovoltaics with planned 325 kW expansion, sustainable recycling program that decreases landfill material by 50 percent during operation, 77 percent diversion of waste from landfills during construction, ergonomic office furniture, drought-tolerant and native landscaping, rainwater collection, 16 electric vehicle charging stations, and 48 bicycle lockers.
“Today’s recognition exemplifies NNSA’s commitment to building a healthy, sustainable future for our workforce,” said NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby. “Out of over 1,000 buildings in the NNSA complex, the John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex is the first and, so far, only LEED Platinum building, but we hope this will set a standard for others. Buildings like this help NNSA accomplish our national security mission while providing sustainability for our operations and reducing our impact on the local community.”
LEED is a globally recognized green building rating system that provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, stewardship of resources, and sensitivities to their impacts.
LEED Platinum certification is the highest level of LEED certification and requires a project to earn a minimum of 80 points across several categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.
The John A. Gordon Albuquerque Complex is the first NNSA facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification, demonstrating the NNSA’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The facility is a state-of-the-art complex that supports the NNSA’s national security missions by providing high-performance computing, scientific research, and engineering capabilities.