The LEED rating system was developed to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings, which meet certain environmental or “green” criteria. OAK’s Terminal 2 extension and renovation, completed in 2007, achieved LEED Silver Certification for conserving energy, material, and water; and incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using fewer resources, LEED certified buildings save money; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

Port of Oakland Board President Victor Uno praised former Port Commissioners who, in 2000, put in motion the Port’s current culture of sustainability. He explained, “Their forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship, economic vitality and social responsibility led us to where we are today, and will continue to shape our organization’s sustainability efforts for years to come.”

According to Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin, “The Port of Oakland’s environmental leadership is exemplified through this prestigious award. Our investment in state-of-the-art green building practices will result in long-term savings of energy, water, and operating costs that will continue throughout the life of Terminal 2. Additionally, our community is benefitting as we are reducing the airport’s operational impact on the environment.”

“Achieving LEED Silver Certification was not an easy process, as it took many years of planning and follow-up by a team of Port employees, tenants and partners. The fact that OAK has the first passenger terminal to receive the Silver level of recognition is a testament to this,” said the Port’s Acting Director of Aviation Deborah Ale Flint. “It takes a minimum of 33 credits to achieve LEED Silver Certification, and we earned every one of these through a committed team of people who were intentionally focused and driven by their motivation to protect the environment,” she continued.

“The Port of Oakland’s LEED Silver certification for its Terminal 2 Project at OAK is an accomplishment that the entire community can be proud of, and an outstanding example of how green building practices make the most sense economically and environmentally,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “By carrying the commitments made in the Port’s sustainability policies to the design and construction of Terminal 2, the project team has delivered a building that will yield benefits to the environment, the local community, and the Port’s bottom line over the life of the facility.”

LEED Silver Certification of OAK’s Terminal 2 extension and renovation was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

Energy efficiency measures that exceed California energy standards by 25% and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 211 tons per year.
Diversion from landfills of more than 80% of jobsite waste, by recycling or reusing scrap drywall, metal, plywood, carpet, and other materials.
Water conservation measures yielding 24% less water use than in a similar conventional building.
Selection of paint, carpet, glue, cabinetry, and plywood products that emit few or no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs–the stuff that gives paint that strong smell–and are therefore better for the environment and our traveling public than conventional products.
An advanced stormwater treatment system that channels runoff into plant-filled ditches, or swales, providing a natural filtering system that removes pollutants before the water reaches the San Francisco Bay.
Innovations such as a “Green Housekeeping” program to reduce environmental and health impacts of cleaning products and chemicals used in the terminals.
OAK’s Terminal 2 project, completed in spring 2007, added 108,000 square feet on two levels, including a new seven-gate concourse (net five boarding gates); expanded ticketing and passenger screening areas; centralized food, beverage and retail shopping areas; a new airport operations dispatch center; and a state-of-the-art mechanical building. Additionally, a new 27,000 square feet baggage claim building, and an in-line explosive detection baggage screening building were opened in summer 2006.
Southwest Airlines, OAK’s largest air carrier, operates exclusively in Terminal 2. Turner Construction, the largest builder of green buildings in the nation, was the prime builder for Terminal 2.

Port of Oakland/OAK

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, OAK and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; OAK is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport and fourth largest airport in California, offering over 140 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Visit portofoakland.com and iflyoak.com.

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students. Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. Visit usgbc.org.