Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory earned national recognition in 2024 for its sustainability efforts, receiving three notable awards from the U.S. Department of Energy. The laboratory was honored with the Outstanding Net-Zero Building Program/Project Award, a High Performance Sustainable Building Award and a Green Fleet Award. These distinctions highlight Fermilab’s ongoing commitment to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations while efficiently utilizing the resources needed to conduct cutting-edge particle physics research.
Sustainable building awards
Outstanding Net-Zero Building Program/Project Award
Fermilab’s Integrated Engineering Research Center, located next to iconic Wilson Hall, has been recognized in the 2024 U.S. Department of Energy Sustainability Awards in the Outstanding Sustainability Program/Project category. This award celebrates the IERC’s eco-friendly design, which incorporates numerous features to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution, and increase water efficiency.
Funded by the Science Laboratory Infrastructure program in the DOE Office of Science, the IERC includes a 20,000-square-foot green roof, large windows that maximize natural light and structural overhangs that minimize direct sunlight. These features, along with use of sustainable construction materials, contribute to significant resource savings.
The building was cited in the award for saving 500,000 gallons of water annually — enough to fill around 46 average-sized swimming pools. It was also cited for annual savings of 3.7 billion BTUs (a standardized unit of heat) through its energy efficiency and reducing vehicular travel by 354,000 miles by creating space for employees to work within walking distance of offices at Wilson Hall.
“The Integrated Engineering Research Center exemplifies Fermilab’s commitment to sustainability by not just providing a space for next-generation science experiments to be designed and constructed, but also using best practices in sustainability for the building’s design,” said Catherine Hurley, Fermilab’s sustainability manager.
High Performance Sustainable Building Award
Because the Integrated Engineering Research Center was constructed under the Guiding Principles for Federal Sustainable Buildings, it was also recognized by the DOE through a High Performance Sustainable Building award.
The Guiding Principles for Federal Sustainable Buildings provide a standardized framework for federal agencies to design, construct and operate buildings in a sustainable manner — leading to improved energy efficiency, water conservation, enhanced indoor air quality and cost-savings.
Fermilab incorporated the guiding principles in early stages of the IERC project through design elements that reduce the needs for artificial light and heating.
Materials for the project were selected to prioritize waste minimization, recycling and environmentally friendly products such as recycled, biobased and safer alternative building materials.
The IERC also incorporated building systems that could mitigate vulnerabilities and recover from the impacts of climate change. These impacts include weather events that are becoming more severe or unpredictable. For instance, the building’s green roof helps absorb rainwater.
Green Fleet Award
Fermilab also received a Green Fleet Award, recognizing the lab’s outstanding leadership in helping the Department of Energy achieve the federal goal of transitioning DOE site fleets to 100% zero emission vehicles by 2035, with 100% of light-duty vehicle acquisitions to be completed by 2027.
Jennifer Thorson, Fermilab’s fleet manager, and Catherine Hurley, manager for sustainability, spearheaded this initiative. This plan outlines a phased approach to replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles. The transition is well underway. In 2024 Fermilab replaced 32% of the laboratory’s 201-vehicle fleet.
“The idea is to phase out internal combustion engines completely,” said Hurley. “Internal combustion engines produce emissions that trap heat into our atmosphere and contribute to global warming.”
This Green Fleet Award also brings $250,000 in funding to Fermilab to install vehicle charging stations and provide for the future acquisition of additional zero emission vehicles.
These new vehicles aren’t just environmentally friendly, they also deliver impressive performance.
“After driving an electric truck, my only complaint is that I don’t have my own,” said David Butler, an operations manager at Fermilab. “The efficiency of it is ten-fold compared to my carbon-emitting truck. I’m now getting the equivalent of 132 miles per gallon.”
The staff who regularly drive vehicles at Fermilab were able to provide input for the selection of new electric models. Their feedback was crucial in selecting the zero emission vehicle models that best support their work and bring Fermilab closer to a fully electric fleet.
Each of these award-winning efforts are part of a broad strategy at Fermilab that creates a win-win scenario — increasing operating efficiency and at the same time improving the environment.
“Fermilab’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond these three awards,” said Hurley. “The lab is actively engaged in a variety of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and create a more sustainable future for scientific research.”
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
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