Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Frank Fischer is the CEO & Chairman of VWGOA, Chattanooga Operations, LLC. In other words, he is the head of the Chattanooga, TN manufacturing plant that produces the Volkswagen Passat.
Fischer talked to drivingthenation.com about the production of the Chattanooga, TN manufacturing plant, over a video provided by Volkswagen.
The manufacturing plant has received the first and only automotive manufacturing plant to receive a platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Councils (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program.
Rick Fedrizzi is the President, CEO & Founding Chair for USGBC, “people perform better in green buildings. They heal faster, there are fewer incidents in the workplace and they have more energy.”
Aspects of the plant that earned LEED recognition include:
- Superior insulation provided by six inches of mineral rock wool, resulting in 720,000 Kilowatts per year savings.
- Green power from the local hydroelectric dam
- The use of LED lighting on the exterior results in 68% less energy used, up to 262,500 kWh per year and a reduction in light pollution.
- Rainwater collected and reused to flush toilets and cool the welding machines
- The white roof membrane is highly reflective, minimizing the heat island effect by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Natural flowing creeks to capture heavy rains and restore a natural habitat
- Low-flow water fixtures and no-touch sensors throughout the plant reduce water usage by 30%.
- The plant was built on a brownfield property with no destruction of untouched nature. Protected 100 ft. wide creeks and wetlands were established to create natural habitats with a low impact on natural habitats.
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