WPPI Energy’s sustainable building earns ‘gold’ certification

WPPI Energy’s office and operations facility achieved ‘Gold’ certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and the new building is intended to reinforce the public power system’s image as a leader in the industry.

The LEED rating system is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance, green buildings.

“Our office and operations facility was designed and built to achieve LEED Gold accreditation and to be a model for efficiency. We worked diligently to meet the guidelines necessary to ensure we received that recognition,” said Senior Vice President of Member and Customer Services Tom Paque. “We are pleased to announce we have met our goals and have earned our official LEED Gold certification. Our new building is better for the environment and those who use the building, as well as future generations of energy users.”

To earn LEED Gold certification, WPPI Energy’s office and operations facility met high standards for energy efficiency, conservation and sustainable design. The building incorporates several green technologies, including reused and recycled-content building materials, day lighting, a geothermal heating and cooling system, controllable lighting systems and more. A new video, accessible online, highlights the green features and energy-efficient technologies that make the building highly sustainable.

WPPI Energy also launched an interactive website that highlights some of the key features that make the office and operations facility significantly more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The website allows users to explore the building’s LEED checklist, learn about the geothermal heating and cooling system and solar photovoltaic tracking system, monitor energy use, and more. The video and website information can be viewed by visiting www.wppienergy.org/building.

By adding on to its existing building and remodeling to meet LEED specifications, WPPI Energy avoided the environmental impacts associated with vacating one facility in order to build an entirely new one. The building is the first LEED Gold certified building in Sun Prairie, Wis.

“By building green and focusing on sustainability, WPPI Energy is leading by example in the delivery of efficient-energy services and is contributing to a better energy future for the community,” said WPPI Energy President and CEO Roy Thilly. “We hope to be a model for building green and showcase how sustainable design and proper education can result in improved performance, efficiency and comfort.”

WPPI Energy worked with Iconica, a commercial design-build firm in Madison, Wis., to complete the $7.3 million building expansion and remodel project. Completed in early 2010, the 49,705 square-foot facility was necessitated by growth and is expected to satisfy WPPI Energy’s space requirements for the next 20 years. A glass certification plaque will be on display in the lobby of the office and operations facility to recognize WPPI Energy’s LEED Gold accreditation.

WPPI Energy LEED Gold Building Fact Sheet