Sustainable, environmentally sound decision-making at the heart of revitalization of Chalk River campus
CHALK RIVER, ON – SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that the Harriet Brooks Building, a world class materials science laboratory, was awarded LEED Silver certification on June 15, 2018. This achievement is aligned with the broader effort to create a more sustainable and energy efficient campus in Chalk River.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is one of the most popular “green” building certification programs used worldwide. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health, location and transportation, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. It includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings, homes, and neighbourhoods which guide building owners and operations towards environmentally responsibility, sustainability and energy efficiency.
“We are proud of the work we are undertaking to build a more sustainable Chalk River campus,” said Mark Lesinski, CNL President and CEO. “The Harriet Brooks Building, one of only a handful of LEED certified laboratories in Canada, is just one example of the many projects currently underway at CNL which are helping to reduce our environmental footprint.”
The Harriet Brooks Building incorporates the following environmentally-sound features:
Site
- Heat island effect reduced by using a white roof and white concrete pavement
- Exterior lights designed to prevent “uplighting”
- Captured rain water for use in washrooms
Water Efficiency
- Reduced water by over 30 per cent by using low flow fixtures
- Used drought tolerant landscaping to reduce the need for watering
Energy and Atmosphere
- Reduced energy consumption by over 20 per cent compared to a similar standard-designed building
- Zero use of non-toxic, non-flammable refrigerants in HVAC systems
Materials and Resources
- Included areas for storage and collection of recyclables
- 83 per cent of construction waste was diverted away from landfill
- Controllable lighting system including occupancy sensors
In addition to the Harriet Brooks Building, through the redevelopment of the Chalk River campus, CNL invested significantly in projects aligned with the organization’s commitment to environmental protection. The Chalk River campus has reduced emissions by more than 30 per cent since transitioning the campus’ heating to natural gas in 2018; plans for three new conventional buildings, an investment of more than $100 million, incorporate energy efficiency or sustainable building materials; and, CNL has constructed a groundwater management system to better protect the Ottawa River by managing rainfall runoff.
“It is important to our organization, to our staff and to our many stakeholders that we are delivering our work in a manner which places a high priority on environmental stewardship, says Lesinski. “This is part of our Environment Policy and applies to all aspects of CNL’s activities. CNL has set sustainability objectives and targets for energy efficiency, clean energy utilization, waste management and conservation of resources to support continual improvement of our performance, and ensure we are respecting the natural environment we are so grateful to enjoy here in Chalk River.”
To learn more about CNL’s plans for site revitalization of the Chalk River campus visit www.cnl.ca.
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.
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Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325