PNM Resources is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for a new Information Technology office building now under construction.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM) is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for a new Information Technology office building now under construction.
The Albuquerque building will provide office space for approximately 50 information technology staff supporting the operations of PNM Resources subsidiary companies, including PNM and First Choice Power in Texas.
Currently there is only one LEED-certified building in New Mexico. Of the 19 New Mexico projects seeking LEED certification, the PNM Resources project is the only one owned by an energy company. Construction on the building began in June and is scheduled for completion in January.
"This is the first construction project we have started from scratch since we adopted our environmental sustainability policy about a year and a half ago," said PNM Resources Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Sterba. "It's truly a concrete example of how our company is seeking a more environmentally sustainable path, where we consider not just financial impacts of business decisions -- such as designing new buildings -- but environmental impacts as well."
To earn LEED certification a building must incorporate design features to make it exceptionally energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Compared to a typical commercial building, the IT office building will:
--Use 50 percent less potable water for landscaping
--Require 60 percent less potable water for indoor uses
--Use 30 percent less energy for heating, cooling and lighting
Comprise at least 10 percent recycled building materials (based on budget). The design also is expected to earn LEED credits for the attributes that will improve working conditions. Much like on a commercial jet, each employee will control the flow of fresh air to his or her workspace from a register in the building's raised floor. Employees also will be able to adjust lighting to their personal preferences, and 78 percent of the building will be illuminated by natural daylight when the sun is shining. Carpeting, adhesives, sealants and cleaning materials will be made of nontoxic materials.
PNM Resources expects the extra expense of designing and building to LEED standards will add 3.5 percent to the upfront capital cost of the building. However, through savings on energy and water, and expected increases in worker productivity due to exceptional working conditions, the company expects it will more than recover that expense over the life of the building.
Claudio Vigil Architects, an Albuquerque firm, designed the building. The general contractor for the project is Jaynes Corp., also in Albuquerque.
PNM Resources is an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, N.M., with consolidated operating revenues of $2.3 billion. Through its utility and energy service subsidiaries, PNM Resources supplies electricity to 725,000 homes and businesses in New Mexico and Texas and natural gas to 471,000 customers in New Mexico. Its utility subsidiaries are PNM and Texas-New Mexico Power. Other subsidiaries include First Choice Power, a deregulated competitive retail electric provider in Texas, and Avistar, an energy research and development company. PNM Resources and its subsidiaries also sell power on the wholesale market in the West. For more information, visit PNMResources.com.
Source: CSRwire, PNM Resources
