NNSA’s path to net-zero emissions buildings

NNSA is building green, adding renewables, and striving towards net-zero emissions across our building portfolio.   

As NNSA moves forward with extensive infrastructure modernization to deliver on vital national security missions, facilities are being designed and constructed to achieve Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability green building requirements. NNSA is working across its federal portfolio of owned and leased buildings to increase water and energy efficiency, reduce waste, drive decarbonization, and achieve net-zero emissions buildings by 2045. 

To put us on the path to “net zero emissions,” federal buildings over 25,000 gross square feet must meet the 2020 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings (Guiding Principles) and ensure all new construction and modernization projects greater than 25,000 gsf entering the design phase in fiscal year 2022 and beyond are designed to be net-zero emissions by 2030, and where feasible, net-zero water and waste.

NNSA has over 80 sustainable federal buildings in its portfolio and the number is growing. Here are a few of NNSA’s construct “green” successes and plans:      

• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory completed a state-of-the-art emergency operations center (EOC) in February 2022. The facility is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building and has sustainability features including drought tolerant landscaping, eight level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and low VOC materials.  
• Nevada National Security Site constructed a 14,000 gsf Administrative Facility in 2019 as part of its major revitalization initiative. The building is an all-electric, net-zero energy facility that also met the Guiding Principles and achieved LEED Gold certification.  
• The John A. Gordon 330,000 gsf office building In Albuquerque, New Mexico is targeted to achieve LEED Gold certification and is currently pursuing LEED Platinum – an NNSA first. Work is underway to expand the photovoltaic infrastructure on the roof to over 500kW

NNSA is integrating green building practices into modernization of the enterprise, designing its buildings to be sustainable and energy efficient, and investing in a sustainable net-zero future.