An asset management and securities company, BNY Mellon, announced that its facility in Everett, Massachusetts has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification in the existing building category from the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council).
LEED is the premier program in the nation for certifying high-performance green buildings for its design, construction and operation. LEED recognizes buildings based on five key parameters: water savings, atmosphere and energy, resources and materials, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable sites. A third-party verification to ensure that the building complies with green building standards of USGBC is required for the certification. The third-party reviews the operations of the building and its maintenance procedures and practices.
Co-CEO of BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, Jim Palermo, said the certification is the result of the combined efforts of the company’s employees in Everett in implementing a program for comprehensive environmental sustainability and is proud to receive the award.
Some of the green features that helped the facility to achieve the LEED EB Gold certification include: 20% reduction in energy consumption; use of renewable power from a rooftop solar system; employee education, waste management, and recycling programs; 34% reduction in water usage; use of environmentally-sensitive products for cleaning; and sustainable purchasing program adopted by BNY Mellon.
In early 2009, the company had installed a rooftop solar array with a capacity of 76 kWh utilizing federal and state tax incentives and leveraging Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust’s grant. The system will avoid about 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per annum. The amount spent on the system will be recovered within five years. The facility, which was formerly a Textron manufacturing plant, was renovated extensively and opened in 1999. The 385,000-square foot facility houses over 1,000 employees.