WPPI Energy facility scores perfect EPA efficiency rating, earns ENERGY STAR certification

The WPPI Energy office and operations facility received a perfect efficiency rating, with a 100 percent score on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) energy performance scale, making it one of the most energy-efficient buildings nationwide.

The facility’s efficiency rating has earned ENERGY STAR^® certification, signifying that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

“WPPI Energy is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in recognition of our membership’s energy efficiency efforts,” said Senior Vice President of Member and Customer Services Tom Paque. “This distinction reflects one of the many ways the local, not-for-profit member utilities of WPPI Energy are demonstrating our commitment to improving efficiency and building a better energy future.”

National leaders

The EPA’s national energy performance rating system assesses, on a one-to-100 scale, how efficiently buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building must earn a 75 or higher on EPA's energy performance scale, indicating that the facility performs better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. WPPI Energy’s score progressively increased from 75 in 2006 to 86 in 2007 and to a perfect 100 in 2011, indicating the highest possible designation awarded by the EPA.

Expansion and renovation

In 2010, the WPPI Energy membership completed a building expansion and remodel project at its office and operations facility. The 49,705 square-foot facility was necessitated by growth and is expected to satisfy the nonprofit power supplier’s space requirements for the next 20 years. By adding onto its existing building, WPPI Energy avoided the environmental impacts associated with vacating one facility in order to build a new one.

“I’m pleased to report that, despite nearly doubling the facility’s square footage, we are using no more energy than before the expansion,” said Paque.

Sustainable features

WPPI Energy improved the energy performance of its facility by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by incorporating a variety of energy-saving features in the facility. Among the building’s many sustainable features:

• 100% green powered – A geothermal heating and cooling system uses renewable energy stored in the earth to heat and cool the facility. Two arrays of solar photovoltaic panels on the site capture clean, renewable energy from the sun. The balance of the facility’s electricity needs is supplied with green power purchased from Sun Prairie Utilities.
• Attention to recycling – 89.9% of construction waste generated during the building project was recycled, and the building materials used include more than 30% recycled content. In addition, more than 20% of the building materials were manufactured within 500 miles, reducing transportation impacts and contributing to the regional economy.
• Focus on efficiency – Highly efficient energy systems and ongoing monitoring help conserve both energy and water. Occupancy sensors and the use of day lighting minimize energy used for lighting. Water use in the building is reduced more than 30% with high-efficiency plumbing fixtures.
• Nationally recognized, high-performance – The facility has earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Gold” certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), signifying that it meets the highest standards for energy efficiency, conservation and sustainable design. WPPI Energy’s facility is the first LEED Gold certified building in Sun Prairie, Wis.