WCNY Public Media, Central New York’s premiere public media organization, earned the highest certification level achievable in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)- LEED® Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. WCNY is the only PBS affiliate to earn LEED® Platinum status.
WCNY now joins an elite group of the top three percent of organizations internationally who have achieved Platinum status, and joins a network dedicated to transforming the way we think about how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained, and operated across the globe.
There are only 809 LEED-Platinum (NC) buildings in the ENTIRE World with ONLY 42 of those buildings existing in the state of New York!
The property includes cutting edge sustainable features that encompass: air quality, day lighting, solar, heat reduction, ventilation, flooring, restrooms, parking areas, rain gardens and equipment. The building also provides a healthy, comfortable work environment for employees that increases productivity overall. The Broadcast and Education Center is now a showcase for green design in
practice through building tours and community functions.
RAIN GARDENS
WCNY’s rain gardens keep up to 95 percent of rain water out of the sewer system.
SOLAR PANELS
Rooftop solar panels produce 95-kilowatt hours of energy, providing up to 11 percent of WCNY’s needs. WCNY is one of the region’s largest generators of renewable electricity.
COOLCENTRIC
Chilled water circulates through pipes, hoses, and radiators behind each TV server rack. WCNY is the first broadcaster in the nation to use this cost-saving technology.
SENSOR-MANAGED BUILDING LIGHTING AND HVAC
This technology system controls temperature and lighting through an automatic system, reducing WCNY’s electric footprint.
TV AND RADIO STUDIO LIGHTS
WCNY’s studio lights were chosen for their energy saving specifications.
LESS PAPER
WCNY staff use two centralized printers. The organization has cut its printing costs significantly, while saving trees!
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The building provides a healthy, comfortable work environment for employees that increases productivity overall. Temperatures are comfortable, and employees are surrounded by natural outdoor light. More than 90 percent of employees have views to the exterior from their workstation.
WATER USE
Low flow sinks in bathrooms reduce water use by 45 percent.
WINDOWS
E-coating on windows greatly improves window insulating properties.
LOW-EMITTING PAINT
Low-emitting paint keeps indoor air quality safe, keeping the Volatile Organic Compounds out. White paint is the most reflective to light. More reflective surfaces allow the building to install fewer lights. This saves money on actual lights, wiring, electric service needed to power the lights, power used, and allows WCNY to use smaller HVAC systems.
