Mar 20 2010
Chrysler Group’s new facility in Trenton, Michigan, South Engine Plant, has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for satisfying the highest environmental standards. The Trenton facility is the only engine manufacturing plant to receive this award in the world and one among the four auto manufacturing facilities to achieve this LEED certification.
Head of Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC, Scott Garberding, said the Trenton South Engine Plant is a good example for environmentally conscious and efficient design. This LEED Gold certification demonstrates the company’s commitment to the environment as well as to the surrounding communities’ well-being.
LEED is the premier program in the nation to certify high-performance green buildings for its design, construction and operation. The program is being administered by the United States Green Building Council. Certification is awarded based on five key parameters: water management, material use, site planning, indoor environmental quality, and energy.
The Trenton South facility, which is constructed on a brownfield site, was designed for both minimum impact on the environment and efficient manufacturing. According to a study done by the Energy Information Administration in 2006, the highest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions are the buildings. The outcome of the excellent design of the Trenton South Engine Plant is the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by over 12,000 metric tons per annum, which is equal to the use of energy by about 1,000 households.
During the construction of the building, recycled content represented 44% of the materials used. About 6,750 tons (over 90%) of the construction waste was diverted from landfills and recycled. In addition, more than 80% of the building materials were purchased from regional sources. As a result of the green measures in the new facility, the total energy use was reduced by 39%, resulting in a $1.25 million savings per year. When compared to the production facility built earlier, water usage in this new plant has been cut down by 1.5 million gallons per annum.