PITT OHIO Terminal Receives LEED Gold Certification

Working with evolveEA to design and construct an energy efficient, high performing trucking terminal, PITT OHIO has earned enough points to officially certify its Cheswick, PA facility as a LEED Gold project. The 55,000 square foot terminal, responsible for servicing the Pittsburgh region, utilizes a low-emitting Energy Star roof positioned to reflect the highest percentage of the sun’s rays, cooling the surrounding area and lowering air conditioning costs.

150 LED lights are used in replacement of incandescent, saving about $2,000 a year in electricity. A geothermal well was put in place to utilize the Earth’s temperature as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer. The project also uses renewable solar and wind energy with a 60kw photovoltaic array and a WindStax Turbine.  The energy cost savings, when all forms of innovation are taken into account, are over 45% when compared to a conventional building.
The Pittsburgh area terminal is the company’s second LEED Gold certified building.  The 22,000 square foot Maintenance Shop Building located on the same campus received Gold distinction in late 2016. The entire site uses sustainable landscaping including bioswales, or man-made elements placed to remove pollutants and dirt from runoff, and drought tolerant native plants to cut down on water usage and prevent flooding. Low-flow appliances and fixtures are also projected to save over 30% of the water that conventional fixtures would use in the same buildings.

“This makes PITT OHIO the first trucking terminal in the country with two LEED Gold projects. PITT OHIO has raised the bar, with a terminal that employs solar energy, wind energy, energy storage, stormwater retention, as well as a design that benefits all interior occupants.”
—Marc Mondor, AIA, LEED Fellow

evolveEA assisted PITT OHIO with the application process and submittals of all necessary documentation. “We are pleased and proud to have been a part of this project, from early goal setting sessions to this milestone of multiple LEED certifications,” said evolveEA Principal, Marc Mondor.
“PITT OHIO is proud to provide its customers and employees with one of the most innovative, sustainable, LEED Gold certified facilities found anywhere in this country,” stated Jim Fields, Chief Operating Officer at PITT OHIO. “This flexible facility and world class vehicle maintenance shop have state-of-the-art features which help us attract and retain some of the most talented drivers and mechanics in the region.  It clearly represents our commitment to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and to the western Pennsylvania region.  It also demonstrates how incredibly talented people from the academic and business communities can team-up to solve complex business problems.”