Las Vegas, Nevada

photo: University of Nevada, Las Vegas--on-campus EPA facilities

This facility features the following green attributes:
Green Power
Water Management Plan

National Exposure Research Laboratory and Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory

Total Facility Area: 92,700 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 166 persons
Energy Consumption: 24,918,838,305 Btu per year
Btu per GSF per Year: 268,812
Total Water Consumption: 2,298,400 gallons per year
Gallons per GSF per Year: 25

All energy and water data are reported as of FY 2007.

Description

EPA occupies space in six buildings on or near the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus. The facilities are occupied by two EPA laboratories operated by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR).

The National Exposure Research Laboratory (ORD). The Environmental Sciences Division of this laboratory is located on campus. Its mission is to evaluate and assess exposure to environmental hazards and to develop methods to monitor and measure such hazards.

Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory (OAR). This laboratory provides technical support for the development and implementation of policy, guidance, programs and regulations concerning radiation, indoor air quality, and emergency response. The laboratory facilities consist of offices, traditional "wet" laboratories, and specialized space for indoor air laboratories, shops, and environmental chambers. In addition, the laboratory operates a fleet of mobile laboratories and monitoring vehicles that are based at an off-campus facility.

Unique Environmental Features

Energy Conservation

In FY 2006, EPA began work on lighting upgrades that include occupancy sensors and energy-efficient fixtures both inside and out of the building.
In FY 2006, EPA replaced 24 20-year-old roof-top package units with more efficient models and has plans to replace all original boilers, air compressors, two chillers, a cooling tower, a large air-handler, and a heat pump.

Green Power

In FY 2008, EPA continued to support the renewable energy market by purchasing green power through two separate Agencywide blanket contracts for a combined total of 380 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy certificates (RECs), or “green tags,” from Sterling Planet , Luminant Energy Company , and FPL Energy . These purchases will allow EPA to offset 100 percent of electricity consumption for FY 2008 and the first half of FY 2009 at the Las Vegas laboratory, as well as many other EPA facilities across the Agency. Procured through the Defense Energy Support Center, these contracts support renewable energy generation from wind and biomass resources in nine states.
In June 2006, EPA signed a contract to acquire 110 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in renewable energy certificates (RECs), or "green tags," from 3 Phases Energy Services over the period September 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007. This blanket purchase supplied EPA with enough RECs through FY 2007 to offset 100 percent of annual electricity consumption at the Las Vegas laboratory and other EPA facilities not covered by separate green power contracts. Procured through the Defense Energy Support Center , this contract supported wind power generation in California, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
In June 2004, EPA entered into a three-year contract with 3 Phases Energy Services to purchase 4.65 million kWh annually of green power for its Las Vegas laboratory. EPA bought 4,650 RECs (1 REC = 1,000 kWh) per year, which were generated at a wind farm in San Gorgonio, California. This purchase offset 100 percent of the laboratory's conventional electricity use.