EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Saint Paul RiverCentre/Xcel Energy Center has been actively working toward sustainability for over a decade. Their journey began in 2009 with a strategic plan to integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations, including a comprehensive recycling program, energy efficiency plan, green purchasing Playbook, and a series of renewable energy partnerships and investments. In 2014 they became the first complex in the world to achieve LEED, Green Globes, and APEX/ASTM certifications together.

 

Since then, SPRC/XEC has continued to push the envelope on sustainability, installing thousands of LED lights, buying into a large Community Solar Garden, and constantly seeking opportunities to improve recycling, building efficiency, purchasing practices, and to create community partnerships that help engage others in sustainability.

 

In 2019, this effort was rewarded with LEED Platinum certification for Existing Buildings by the US Green Building Council, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of their sustainability program. Instead of slowing the effort, they celebrated this milestone by signing onto the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action framework, which they are currently using to develop the next set of sustainability goals for their organization.

 

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NOTABLE SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES USED IN THE PROJECT:

Since 2009, Saint Paul RiverCentre/Xcel Energy Center has been incrementally setting and then achieving ambitious goals around sustainability performance. These goals have centered on the following topics:

 

1. Increasing the facility’s recycling rate and decreasing trash generated

2. Increasing building efficiency to well above regional averages

3. Reducing water consumption per visitor

4. Reducing the carbon footprint of building operations

5. Improving air quality in the building based on measured standards

6. Reducing the environmental impact of purchasing within the building

7. Achieving 3rd-party environmental certifications that verify these results

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Multiple strategies were used to achieve results within each topic listed above. These included:

1. Waste/Recycling: A comprehensive program was designed to collect, transport, hold and then haul waste in ways that minimize contamination. Compost collection was added throughout the complex, with clear signage to assist sorting. Regular inspections ensure the program works correctly at all steps.

2. Energy Efficiency - equipment upgrades and operational efficiency: Since 2010, almost 10,000 lights have been upgraded, largely to LED. Other upgrades include higher-efficiency HVAC fans and motors, high-speed doors in loading docks, and efficient foodservice equipment. Operational efficiency seeks to ensure lights/equipment is off when not needed and HVAC is set back in unoccupied areas.

3. Water Reduction: Efforts have focused on monitoring for leaks, installing hundreds of flow-restrictors on faucets, ensuring irrigation is only used when needed, and more efficient fixtures/equipment is installed as bathrooms and kitchens are remodeled.

4. Carbon footprint: In addition to efficiency efforts, SPRC/XEC has integrated renewable energy in four ways: an 81kW photovoltaic system on RiverCentre Parking Ramp, a 1MW rooftop solar thermal array tied into the local District Energy grid, large-scale purchase of Windsource electricity, and a multi-year contract for Renewable Energy Credits.

5. Air Quality: All 57 air handlers were recalibrated to meet ASHRAE 62.1 standards, and measurements were taken at over 200 data points to ensure that CO2 and VOC levels are well below standard thresholds for air quality. Smoking is prohibited, as is combustion engine use indoors unless required for an event.

6. Purchasing: A Green Purchasing Playbook guides staff on buying “green” across a range of products from cleaners and toilet paper to office products, vacuum cleaners, office equipment and construction materials.

7. Once the above programs were in place, SPRC/XEC pursued three different sustainability certifications with slightly different requirements.