Hopewell Township, NJ – Capital Health announced today that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), becoming one of only 28* hospitals in the country to have achieved the prestigious gold or platinum level recognition.
“From the very beginning of planning for Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, the goal was to create a healthier environment for patients, visitors, and staff, and to be environmentally responsible,” said Al Maghazehe, president & CEO, Capital Health. “This progressive healing environment provides important emotional support for patients while practicing environmentally sustainable principles.”
Capital Health achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
“Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The Capital Health project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come.”
Some of the LEED elements at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell include:
- Water efficient landscaping
- Water use reduction
- Recycled 90% of trash and debris from the construction phase
- Use of regional materials
- Use of PVC free and low VOC finishes on all painted surfaces
- Preservation of open space that exceeds local zoning requirements by 67%
- Light pollution reduction
U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.
With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.
LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 100,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED rating systems, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building,
membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.
For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
*As of April 2012, per Becker Hospital Review