News Release Archive

Federal Office Goes 'Green' with LED Light Installation

Media Contact: Kelly Bridges, (208) 378-5101, kbridges@usbr.gov
Shannon Clifford, sclifford@usbr.gov

For Release: July 29, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are installing a new LED lighting system in the F. H. Newell Building in Boise, Idaho. The new lights are more efficient than fluorescent lighting and will conserve energy and save money.

Reclamation's Snake River Area Office shares the office building with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center. Both agencies, together with the Idaho Power Co., will oversee the installation of the light-emitting diode system - commonly referred to as LED lighting. The agencies together awarded a contract to Modern Electric Co., located in Meridian, Idaho. Installation is expected to start in mid-August.

"The F. H. Newell Building was built in 2003 with energy efficiency in mind," said Scott McIlhargey, Facility Operation Specialist, who manages the building for Reclamation and USGS. "The addition of this upgraded LED lighting system will help us continue our goal of making this building as energy efficient as possible and saving taxpayer's dollars."

LED lighting performs well in all seasons and has an average lifetime two to five times that of fluorescent lighting. The new lighting system is expected to save 120,570 kWh's and $2,000 annually.

Some of the energy-efficient standards already in place at the F.H. Newell Building include the use of natural light, a geothermal heating system, holding ponds for rain runoff to assist in the recycling of water to be used on the native vegetation, and recycled building materials such as shredded blue jeans for building insulation.

To conserve natural resources, recycled carpet, natural cork flooring, and bamboo flooring were installed throughout the building. The integrated approach considers environmental impacts, minimizes waste, creates a healthy and comfortable environment, and reduces operation and maintenance costs.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.