LEED-EB Silver is Earned for Wisconsin State Agriculture Building

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Madison, WI - May 3, 2010 - The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), located in Madison, Wisconsin, and owned and operated by The Wisconsin Department of Administration, has officially received LEED®-EB: O&M (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  This certification recognizes that DATCP has implemented continuous sustainability improvement measures guided by LEED-EB.  Leonardo Academy was the LEED consultant for this project supporting the successful achievement of Silver Certification.

DATCP implemented many green actions to achieve Silver Certification. These include:

• Implemented a Green Cleaning Policy mandating the use of 100% green cleaning products in the building and on the grounds.

• Purchased renewable energy from MG&E equal to 25.5% of their annual energy usage.

• Achieved an Energy Star rating of 82 points out of a possible 100, making them eligible for the Energy Star Label.

• Documented an emissions reduction of 871 metric tons of CO2 equivalent through Leonardo Academy's Cleaner & Greener Program.

• Installed flush valve diaphragms and aerators and discontinued use of their irrigation system, resulting in a 54% reduction in water use and an annual savings of 757,724 gallons (more than an Olympic-sized swimming pool).

State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen unveiled the LEED-EB plaque during a ceremony at the DATCP building on Earth Day, April 22.  According to Nilsestuen, the facility is the first state office building to receive this certification.

Leonardo Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 with a vision of advancing sustainability and putting the competitive market to work on improving the environment. Leonardo Academy helps companies, organizations, buildings, events, families and individuals achieve sustainability throughout the country and the world.  For greening buildings, Leonardo Academy supports implementation and certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System™.  For additional information about Leonardo Academy visit www.leonardoacademy.org.
 
The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) was created in 1959 to consolidate various independent units into a single agency. DOA offers direct services to Wisconsin residents and communities, including assistance with housing and energy efficiency improvements, but its primary function is to deliver a wide range of support services to other state agencies, such as maintaining the State Capitol and other state facilities.

The department is headed by a secretary appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state senate. In addition to the Office of the Secretary, DOA is organized into nine divisions. Several small agencies, boards and commissions are also attached to DOA for administrative purposes.

To learn more about DOA, please visit www.doa.state.wi.us

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is the agency responsible for food safety, animal and plant health, protecting water and soil and monitoring fair and safe business practices.  They inspect and license more than 100,000 businesses and individuals, analyze millions of laboratory samples, conduct hundreds of hearings and investigations, educate businesses and consumers about best practices, adopt rules that have the force of law, and promote Wisconsin agriculture at home and abroad.  Their mission and vision is to make Wisconsin a world leader in agriculture, food safety and consumer protection.  To learn more about DATCP, please visit www.datcp.state.wi.us

The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

LEED-EB is a USGBC-sponsored program for owners who address sustainable operations and maintenance for existing buildings. The USGBC is the nation’s leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working together to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.  For additional information about the USGBC visit www.usgbc.org.

Contact Information

Kara Edmonson, Senior LEED Project Manager
Leonardo Academy, Inc.
Phone: 608-280-0255
kara@leonardoacademy.org

Ron Lazarescu, Assistant Bureau Director
Wisconsin Department of Administration
Phone: 608-266-2948
ron.lazarescu@wisconsin.gov

LEONARDO6454