Sep 28 2010
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) today announced that it has earned two LEED for Commercial Interiors Gold Certifications for its global headquarters and research facility in Cheshire, Conn.
Alexion’s headquarters is among a small number of buildings in the U.S. to qualify for the distinguished LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification. In addition to these awards from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the company has also received the 2010 Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC) Green Advocate Award for its efforts to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices.
The three awards were presented in a ceremony at Alexion by Lisa Whited of the Upper Northeast Region of USGBC, and by Todd Renz, Chair of the CTGBC. Speaking at the event, Elizabeth Esty, Connecticut State Representative for the 103rd House District, representing Cheshire, Hamden and Wallingford, told the company’s employees that, “Alexion has a history of both innovation in developing new therapies and innovation in sustainable technology. I am proud that this Cheshire-based company is being acknowledged for the example it provides of how individuals and their companies can work to preserve the environment.” Rep. Esty was also present at the 2009 unveiling of Alexion’s solar panel system, one of the largest in the state.
Judy Swann, Executive Director of the CTGBC, said that, “We applaud Alexion for earning two gold-standard LEED certification awards for commercial interiors that are healthy and productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and have a reduced environmental footprint.”
Alexion is committed to energy conservation and environmental sustainability. In 2009, Alexion installed a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of its corporate headquarters and research facility. This system, which was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, satisfies up to 9% of the location’s energy consumption. Through onsite recycling programs in 2009, Alexion and its employees have diverted more than 45 tons of waste from landfills, including batteries, paper, equipment, metal and carpeting. Alexion also recently installed a new heat recovery system to reduce heating and cooling loads in the company’s laboratories.
“Alexion is proud to be one of a small number of companies to receive the prestigious LEED-CI Gold certification award,” said Daniel Caron, Vice President of Site Operations and Engineering at Alexion. “We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment through both our long-term policies and our everyday actions, and we are grateful to our employees for supporting this mission. We are also extremely honored to have received the Connecticut Green Building Council’s Green Advocate Award, which celebrates the organization for actively transforming the environment while sharing knowledge of green building and sustainable practices.”
The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. The LEED certification program was developed to provide property owners and operators with strategies for improving the performance of buildings through energy savings, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, stewardship of resources and other measures. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
Source: http://www.alexionpharm.com/