ACU building first in LC to meet energy standards

LEAGUE CITY — A corporate desire to construct an energy-efficient building led to an environmental milestone in League City.

Associated Credit Union built the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building in League City for the company’s new headquarters at 1095 W. League City Parkway.

The national LEED program encourages constructing energy-efficient buildings and homes from recycled and sustainable materials.

Upfront construction costs are more expensive than a building that doesn’t follow LEED requirements, but the long-term savings make up for that, President and CEO Jack Click said.

The 30,000-square-foot building cost $5.5 million.

“It’s just smart,” Click said. “You’re probably going to pay 10 to 15 percent more to build, but in seven to 10 years, our utility bills are 15 percent cheaper.”

Wood from sustainable forests, recycled carpet and countertops furnished the interior.

A reflective roof and 8-inch thick concrete walls insulate the building, cutting back on cooling and heating costs.

Concave light fixtures maximize bulb reflection and allow the building to use fewer lights.

Large sun-reflecting glass windows let in natural light but prevent heat from entering the building.

Landscapers planted native and drought-resistant plants around the building, and a drip sprinkler system waters soil underground, reducing evaporation.

About 80 percent of waste that resulted from building the credit union was recycled.

Green building standards will be the construction norm in five to 10 years, Click said.

“People are going to get used to building to these standards,” he said. “I’m sure it’s going to get even better, and the cost will go down.”

League City fast-tracked the building’s permits and helped the credit union earn utility rebates through Texas-New Mexico Power Co. and the state, Doug Frazior, the city’s economic development coordinator, said.

JSC Federal Credit Union also has converted to the green building trend.

The credit union will open its first LEED-certified branch, 1280 E. League City Parkway, in League City on Aug. 19.

The 6,000-square-foot building is made from renewable materials, has automatic lights and uses irrigated rain to water plants, spokeswoman Becky Day said.

“Conserving energy has become so important,” Day said. “In the long run, we will save so much.”

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Galveston branch encouraged business and homeowners to follow LEED standards during Hurricane Ike restoration efforts, Hank Hodde, the council’s education director, said.

Financial constraints prevented many property owners from pursuing green rebuilding.

The Galveston Historical Foundation is restoring an Ike-damaged home, near Avenue Q½ and 30th Street and built in 1891, according to LEED standards, Hodde said.

“We’re trying to set an example on the island that green is feasible and effective in the long run,” he said.

“It has to be more than a fad. Energy resources are just going to continue to decrease.”