Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Projects

Building for the Future

As an energy company committed to environmental stewardship, Union Gas has recently opened the first of three new facilities that feature innovative environmental technologies and applications.

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the “green building” standard adopted by the Canada Green Building Council and rates the construction and design of buildings based on energy efficiency and a number of environment friendly factors. Points are awarded based on specified criteria for construction and design considerations including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor air quality and the design process. There are four levels of certification available - Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Union Gas expects to achieve a Gold LEED certification for each of its three new offices, all of which have distinct designs and showcase different types of innovative technologies. Each of three facilities will incorporate a different type of natural gas-fired combined heat and power generation system (CHP) to allow Union Gas to gain experience in a broad range of new technologies.

The new Burlington regional centre, opened in June 2008, was built to the LEED Gold Standard and will deliver energy savings of more than 25 per cent compared to conventional buildings. About 70 employees occupy the new facility that features:

• Natural gas micro-turbines to supply the energy needs of the office
• Computerized control of lighting, heating and cooling systems
• Natural lighting in workspaces for 75 per cent of employees reducing the need for electrical lighting
• Rainwater harvested for toilets
• Drought resistant and native plants for interior and exterior landscaping

Check out a six-minute video about the energy efficient, state-of-the-art technologies in the Burlington regional centre to learn more.

Union Gas LEED Gold facilities are also planned for Kingston and Windsor (completion in 2009).

A Lighter Environmental Footprint at Union Gas Facilities

In addition to the three LEEDs projects, Union Gas has completed three smaller offices in Cobourg, Hamilton and Owen Sound that have now been recognized under the NRCan ecoEnergy Validation of New Building Design program. This program requires buildings to be at least 25 per cent more energy efficient than the requirements of the current national building code.

Union Gas has taken a number of steps in recent years to reduce energy consumption at all its existing facilities across Ontario. Office light fixtures are being replaced to reduce electricity consumption by about 58 per cent and water consumption has been reduced by 20-40 per cent by installing self-flushing toilets, hands-free faucets, and energy-efficient showerheads. High-efficiency air conditioners have also replaced older, less efficient units at our largest offices.

Artist Rendering