Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina

This facility features the following green attributes:
LEED-NC 2.1 Silver
Green Power
Water Management Plan
Native Landscaping

First Environments Early Learning Center

Total Facility Area: 25,400 gross square feet (GSF)
Estimated Personnel: 49 persons
Energy Consumption: 1,696,061,120 Btu per year
Btu per GSF per Year: 66,774
Total Water Consumption: 485,133 gallons per year
Gallons per GSF per year: 19.1

All energy and water data are reported as of FY 2010.

Description

Open since November 2005, the First Environments Early Learning Center (FEELC) at RTP, North Carolina, is a state-of-the art, 25,400-square-foot child care facility. FEELC enables EPA to extend child care services to 188 children and accomodates 41 FEELC staff. The building includes 20 classrooms, a large multipurpose room, a commercial-grade kitchen, infant care rooms, and an outdoor playground.

In addition to this facility, EPA occupies several other buildings in the Research Triangle Park area, including:

Unique Environmental Features

Green Power

In April 2010, a 476-panel photovoltaic system installed by Duke Power began operating on the roof of FEELC. Covering 13,000 square feet of roof, this 109-kilowatt (kW) array generated 73,911 kilowatt hours of electricity during fiscal year 2011, demonstrating EPA’s support of renewable energy.
EPA offsets 100 percent of the electricity consumption at FEELC with renewable energy certificates (RECs) purchased through the Agency's current blanket green power contract. Learn more about EPA's current and past blanket green power contracts.

Green Building

In March 2008, the building received the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED^®-NC) 2.1 Silver certification.
RTP's First Environments Early Learning Center features the following green building attributes:
- An ENERGY STAR^® roof and high albedo concrete paving, which decreases heat absorption and reduces the amount of energy required for cooling.
- Energy-efficient lighting features such as occupancy sensors and daylighting dimmers.
- Native landscaping that requires no additional watering and reduces pollution from stormwater runoff.
- Locally manufacturered materials.
- Indoor air quality monitoring to ensure a healthy learning environment.

Water Conservation

In January 2009, EPA completed a water management plan that covers FEELC, RTP's Main campus, and the National Computer Center (PDF) (40 pp, 747K, About PDF).

A cistern at the RTP First Environments Early Learning Center.

One of the 1,550-gallon cisterns installed at FEELC.

Stormwater Management

In December 2010, FEELC completed installation of one 1,550-gallon cistern, which is used to collect and store rainwater for garden irrigation. A second cistern is anticipated to be completed in early 2011.

For More Information About This Facility

Website: www.epa.gov/rtp/childcare/daycare.htm

Alex Montilla (montilla.alex@epa.gov)
U.S. EPA
Mail Code: C604-01
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Phone: (919) 541-0324