Columbia Credit Union Earns LEED Gold Certification

New Branch Realizes Energy and Water Savings in First Year

VANCOUVER, Wash., May 07, 2009 (allCUnews) -- Columbia Credit Union was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its Washougal branch, located in The Crossing shopping complex just off Highway 14 in Washougal. Completed in April 2008, the branch is the first LEED Gold Certified financial institution in Clark County, Washington.

Built to rigorous LEED standards for sustainable building design and performance, the branch has realized significant energy and water savings in its first year. "Our Washougal branch used about half the gas and electricity and 40 percent less water on average than our comparable branches," said Columbia Chief Operating Officer Steve Kenny. Additional water savings are anticipated in year two, after this first year of establishing the landscape plants with extra water.

To earn LEED certification, the USGBC uses a points-based system for satisfying criteria meeting specific environmental impacts. Columbia applied for and earned 42 points toward Gold Certification for site selection, energy use, lighting, water and material use, waste management, air quality and innovation in design.

Significant environmental savings that contributed to the gold status includes a 75 percent reduction in construction waste. "Throughout the construction process, work crews carefully separated scrap metal, wood and concrete for recycling," said Kenny. "This prevented excess building materials from going to landfills."

EHS Design Architects developed the branch design in cooperation with Paladino & Company, Inc., an internationally recognized leader in green building design and LEED certification. Notable green features include an omni-directional skylight, a cistern for rainwater collection, porous concrete, FSC certified lumber, corn fiber work station panels, and guest chairs made from recycled seat belts. This branch will serve as a prototype for future new branches and remodels for Columbia Credit Union. A second green built branch was completed in June 2008 and is currently waiting LEED certification status.

For more information about Columbia Credit Union, please visit www.columbiacu.org.

SOURCE: Columbia Credit Union

Columbia Credit Union
Michelle Thor, 360-619-3052
Fax: 360-619-3203
michellet@columbiacu.org