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Greening EPA

Ecosystem Processes Division (EPD) Laboratory

Athens, Georgia

Aerial photo of EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, Georgia.

72,088 gross square feet (GSF)

Energy Intensity:
FY 2019: 164,430 Btu per GSF
54.3% reduction from FY 2003

Water Intensity:
FY 2019: 13.69 gallons per GSF
69.1% reduction from FY 2007

The Ecosystem Processes Division (EPD) of EPA’s Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling conducts research on organic and inorganic chemicals, greenhouse gas biogeochemical cycles and land use perturbations that create stressor exposures and potential risks to humans and ecosystems.

Sustainable Features

  • The laboratory replaced two electric boilers that provided hot water for domestic use with one electric hot water heater.
  • All fluorescent lighting was replaced with T-8 bulbs and electronic ballasts and all incandescent bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs.
  • Two solar hot water systems preheat water before it reaches water heaters in the office annex building and the main building.
  • The laboratory’s entryway has a photovoltaic (PV) system that can generate about 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity to power the guard shack.

For more information, visit the Ecosystem Processes Division website or the EPA Facility Contact List.