EPB is the first Chattanooga company to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification at the “Gold” level for an existing building in the city, the power distributor said Friday.
David Wade, EPB’s president and chief executive, said it moved up from LEED “Silver,” which it achieved a year ago for its M.L. King Boulevard headquarters.
“The investment paid off in less than a year,” he told about 75 people at Miller Plaza during the EPB Green Business Expo, noting there is a business case for LEED certification.
EPB cited efforts to cut its environmental impact through energy efficiency, reduced water use, diverting landfill waste through composting and recycling and other measures.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said local residents don’t take for granted stewardship of the environment. Chattanooga was called the “dirtiest city in America” in October 1969 by CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite.