Alstom now plans to plow $300 million into its Chattanooga project, up $20 million from earlier estimates, and it will seek LEED status for its new waterfront facility, officials said Wednesday.
"Alstom's business is to make clean power," said Stephane Cai, managing director of Alstom Power Turbomachines in Chattanooga. "To go with this business, we want our own operation to be green."
Mr. Cai, speaking at a briefing for reporters prior to the new plant's June 24 formal opening, said the company expects to seek campuswide Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "Gold" designation.
Alstom Communications Director Tim Brown said the extra money is going to land LEED certification and for training.
He said the Paris, France-based company is intent on making the Chattanooga operation "world class and green."
Installing dozens of skylights into its huge production bays, a system to capture rainwater run-off for irrigation and using 2-inch thick insulated siding are among green steps undertaken by the plant's builders, Mr. Cai said.
SEEKING LEEDAlstom is recycling old concrete building slabs into crushed concrete, which is used as road foundation on the site.
Alstom announced in 2007 it would build the new facility next to its existing operation to make steam and gas turbines as it seeks to capture business related to nuclear and fossil power plant retrofitting and construction in the United States.
The company plans to add about 350 people to its 600-member work force in the city by 2012, officials said.
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