Natural Ressources Canada
98/10
March 4, 1998

NEW 'GREEN' BUILDING OPENS IN RICHMOND, B.C.

RICHMOND, B.C. — One of Canada's most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible commercial office buildings was opened today in Richmond, British Columbia. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), joined Richmond Mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt, the Honourable Raymond Chan, Member of Parliament for Richmond, and Bob Bentall, Chairman of the Bentall Corporation, to officially unveil the new office building at Richmond's Crestwood Corporate Centre. "This building shows the best way to build, design and construct in an energy efficient way," said Minister Goodale. "It also shows how successful partnerships between government and industry can encourage energy efficiency and help Canada meet the challenge of climate change." The building was developed by Bentall Properties Limited with Bunting Coady Architects. It is a close replica of an ultra energy-efficient building constructed by this development team under NRCan's C-2000 Program for Advanced Commercial Buildings. C-2000 buildings are designed to consume only 50 percent of the energy of a conventional building of a similar size. Their effect on the environment is therefore reduced, and they have a range of technologies that contribute to a healthier indoor environment for their occupants.

The C-2000 Program, launched in 1993, is a joint venture between NRCan and industry, utilities and government. The goal of the program is to encourage more energy- efficient and environmentally responsible design and construction practices for commercial buildings.

Under the program, builders from across Canada were invited to submit proposals. Bentall Properties Ltd., together with Westminster Management Corporation and Bunting Coady Architects, submitted one of the most successful designs and constructed a C-2000

building at 13777 Commerce Parkway in the Crestwood Corporate Centre. On its own initiative and without government subsidy, the development team then took that design and reproduced many of the features at 13700 International Place, the building opened today.

"Investing in energy-efficient buildings creates a winning situation for everyone," said Minister Goodale. "These investments cut costs for building owners, reduce energy consumption and improve the indoor environment for occupants. They also increase competitiveness and contribute to job creation and economic growth."

Minister Goodale also announced the Green Building Challenge (GBC) '98, an international project spearheaded by NRCan. GBC ?98 consists of a two-year process to develop and test a system to assess the environmental performance of buildings around the world. The process culminates in an international conference in Vancouver from October 26 to 28, 1998. Over 500 delegates from 20 countries will meet to present and debate the new system, as well as showcase some of the best green buildings in the world.

Developing energy-efficient technologies in commercial buildings will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take Canada a step closer to meeting the reduction targets recently set in Kyoto, Japan. The C-2000 Program is just one of several initiatives NRCan is undertaking to promote energy efficiency in commercial buildings across the country.

For example, in December NRCan announced the Commercial Building Incentive Program, which will provide $10 million a year in financial incentives to encourage building owners to incorporate proven but under-utilized energy-efficient technologies and practices in designs for new commercial and institutional buildings. The program is scheduled to start in April 1998 and run for three years.

For more information contact:
John Embury
Press Secretary
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007