Jennette's Pier Awarded Prestigious Green Building Certification
RALEIGH - The Aquariums Division of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced today that Jennette’s Pier has achieved the LEED Platinum rating, the highest designation established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.
A ceremony to celebrate this achievement will be held in Oceanview Hall at Jennette’s Pier at 4 p.m. Oct. 18. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
According to David R. Griffin, director of the N.C. Aquariums, this award is meaningful to the aquariums and the state.
“I’m very pleased that we were able to construct a state-of-the-art, sustainable facility that employs so many green technologies,” Griffin said. “Both the department and division wanted to lead the state in demonstrating the viability of sustainable design and clean energy technologies, and we’ve met that goal.”
Jennette’s Pier achieved LEED certification for sustainable strategies including energy use, lighting, water and material use.
By using less energy and water, a LEED-certified building saves money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and contributes to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community, said Laura Deaton Klauke, executive director of the N.C. Triangle Chapter of the USGBC.
“LEED Platinum is a tremendous achievement for the aquariums and is a concrete example of good stewardship of the state’s environmental resources,” she said. “Jennette’s Pier and the aquariums provide a fantastic and healthy place for all North Carolinians and our coastal visitors to learn and play.
“They created that space by eliminating waste and inefficiencies. The certification signifies the commitment to sustainability of the aquariums’ management and building team. But it is also recognition of our state and its leadership in building for the future.”
LEED certification of Jennette’s Pier was based on several green design and construction features that positively impact the project and the community. These features include:
· three Bergey Excel-S wind turbines;
· a reclaimed water system that reduces dependence on municipal water;
· a closed-loop, geothermal heating and cooling system;
· locally-sourced building materials;
· passive solar building design;
· efficient lighting sources such as LEDs and compact fluorescents;
· photovoltaic solar panels;
· a rainwater collection system with two cisterns; and
· a comprehensive recycling program.
For more information about Jennette’s Pier, visit www.jennettespier.net or call 252-255-1501.