Facility built to national environmental building standards, receives state grant for solar panels
COLCHESTER, VT...Customers of Green Mountain Power will benefit from faster response times and improved efficiency because of a new service center recently opened in Westminster. Residents of the area are invited to a free neighborhood barbeque on Thursday, May 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to celebrate the grand opening of the environmentally friendly facility located at 1308 Westminster Heights Road, just off I-91 Exit 5.
The renovated building replaces GMP's existing Bellows Falls service center. It will house utility crews and equipment and provides much-needed space to help GMP crews operate more efficiently.
"We're very pleased to bring this facility on line so that we can deliver the best possible service to our many customers in the Bellows Falls area," said Mary Powell, who will in August become GMP's president and chief executive officer. "This service center will allow us to run our operations more efficiently, which ultimately keeps rates lower for our customers," Ms. Powell added.
The renovation project has registered for LEED certification for incorporating extensive environmental design techniques and materials to make the facility energy efficient, environmentally sustainable and healthy for employees. (See next page for details.) The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System(tm) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Only seven buildings in Vermont are currently LEED certified. Green Mountain Power will submit for certification approval after collecting several months of operating data.
"Building to LEED certification standards acknowledges Green Mountain Power's commitment to environmental responsibility and to providing healthy, comfortable space for our employees," said Ms. Powell.
In addition, GMP recently received a Clean Energy Development Fund grant from the State of Vermont to help pay for the installation of solar panels at the service center. The solar array utilizes leading photovoltaic module and inverter technology not commonly seen in Vermont. It will provide 70% of the annual electricity used in building operations. The use of solar power is another benefit to GMP rate payers because it will significantly reduce overhead costs at the Westminster Service Center.
"We're very proud to bring to the community a building that is environmentally responsible, and that reflects Vermont values," said Ms. Powell.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (www.greenmountainpower.biz) is an electric utility owned by Northern New England Energy Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gaz Métro, a leading Québec energy company with a long history of investment in Vermont. Green Mountain Power transmits, distributes and sells electricity and utility construction services in the State of Vermont in a service territory with approximately one quarter of Vermont's population. It serves approximately 94,000 customers.
In order to meet LEED certification standards as a "green" building, Green Mountain Power did the following at the new Westminster Service Center:
* Diverted 50% of the demolition waste from landfills through reuse and recycling.
* Used energy efficient lighting controlled by timers and occupancy sensors.
* Made daylight available in 75% of the building.
* Used automated low flow water fixtures.
* Installed a new roof with improved insulation and high reflectance to reduce heat absorption.
* Installed Energy Star windows and an efficient HVAC system that is controlled by occupants for their comfort.
* Installed an air quality monitoring system to ensure occupants always have fresh and healthy air.
* Used environmentally friendly materials, from recycled tire flooring to Energy Star appliances.
* Reduced the area requiring lawn mowing, naturalizing some areas and planting wildflower meadows in other areas, such as in front of the building. The landscaping will be native plants and will require no irrigation.
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