July 25, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Southeast District office in Warren has received silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The Warren office opened in 2005, and was designed to achieve basic LEED certification.

“We are leading by example in demonstrating environmentally sound business practices,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “The DEQ is proud to be the first state office in Michigan to have a LEED certified state office building that has achieved ‘silver’ status.”

LEED certification is granted to buildings that strive in environmental protection and energy conservation. During the construction of the Warren office, the DEQ ensured that an emphasis was placed on creating a sustainable, energy efficient building. Efforts by the DEQ and the developer, Murray Wikol, resulted in a building that is environmental friendly in terms of site selection, building material, and energy use.

The building, which was built on the old Warren Tank brownfield site has reduced overall potable water usage by 20 percent, and energy use by 35 percent. The building was also designed to use minimal toxic materials, making it safer and healthier for employees and the public alike.

The DEQ is currently planning a new office in Bay City that will be designed to obtain LEED silver status or greater.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised July 25, 2006 by Pat Watson