NOAA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER BECOMES
FIRST “GREEN” CERTIFIED BUILDING IN ALASKA

March 31, 2004 — A facility built to save lives has earned the distinction as the first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) certified building in the NOAA National Weather Service. The NOAA West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center facility in Palmer, Alaska, has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The new WC/ATWC began operations in June 2003. It was built to the exacting standards of the Green Building Council, whose LEED™ certification program sets the standard for environmentally sensitive design. (Click NOAA image for larger view of NOAA West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center facility in Palmer, Alaska. Please credit “NOAA.”)

LEED™ certified buildings achieve the designation by meeting strict energy and environmental design criteria and scoring points in five areas: sustainable site planning, water efficiency and safeguards, energy efficiency and renewable energy use, conservation of materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

“The LEED™ process sets in place very challenging design goals that are especially difficult to achieve in Alaska,” said Ron Warren, NOAA National Weather Service project manager for the new facility.

The WC/ATWC is leading federal and state agencies nationally in “green” building design and certification. Since it is NOAA’s first LEED™ certified facility, and the first in the state of Alaska, it will be utilized as an instructional tool for building design for many years to come, said Laura Furgione, NWS Alaska Region acting director.

“Building ‘green’ provides substantial savings through lower energy, waste and water costs and lower operational and maintenance costs. Moreover, ‘green’ buildings tend to create a healthier work environment,” Furgione added.

The engineering firm of Burns and McDonnell provided design and construction management of the center in close collaboration with engineers from the NOAA Weather Service

The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center was established in 1967 as a result of the great Alaskan earthquake that occurred on March 27, 1964. This earthquake alerted state and federal officials to the need for a facility to provide timely and effective tsunami warnings and information for the coastal areas of Alaska. In 1996, the center’s area of responsibility was expanded to include all Pacific-wide tsunamigenic sources which could affect the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska coasts. (Click NOAA image for larger view of damage from earthquake of March 27, 1964, in the Gulf of Alaska. The resulting tsunami caused much damage to the railroad facilities at Seward Port, Alaska. Rails were stripped from the railroad ties by the tsunami. Most of the Alaska Railroad dock was washed away by the waves. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

The NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NWS operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

NOAA Tsunamis Page

National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program

Images of Great Alaska Earthquake, Prince William Sound, March 28, 1964

Media Contacts:
Laura Furgione, NOAA National Weather Service, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 271-5136, Tom Henry, (907) 271-3464 or Tracey Lake, (907) 271-4767