LG Electronics Receives Top Honor From U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter
Company Recognized for Corporate Culture of Sustainability, New Building Design that Protects the Palisades
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC NJ) honored LG Electronics USA for "outstanding achievement and best practices in green building and sustainability."
USGBC NJ's 2015 Top Honoree award recognizes the new design for LG's North American Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs that will create a world-class, sustainably designed building to the benefit of LG and the state of New Jersey, while protecting the iconic vistas and integrity of the Palisades Park, a National Natural and Historic Landmark.
"LG has taken its environmental commitment to the next level – launching its new LEED Platinum building project, with strong support from local conservation groups, and transforming its corporate culture by implementing a number of noteworthy voluntary sustainability practices aimed at reducing its carbon footprint, said USGBC NJ Board Chair Faith Taylor, Wyndham Worldwide's senior vice president, corporate social responsibility.
In June, LG and leading conservation groups reached a win-win agreement on an amended design for the company's headquarters project. The landmark settlement – with Scenic Hudson, the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, the Natural Resources Defense Council, New Jersey Conservation Foundation and NY-NJ Trail Conference – paves the way for construction to begin next year. These conservation groups pledged to work with LG to secure necessary municipal approvals so the project can move forward expeditiously.
"In addition to our enthusiasm for LG's LEED Platinum building plans, USGBC NJ applauds LG for being a great corporate citizen and especially for its spirit of cooperation with various stakeholders to move this project ahead in a way that will meet the company's business needs and 'Protect the Palisades' at the same time," said USGBC NJ Executive Director Florence Block.
The amended building design, reflecting compromises by all the parties, calls for a five-story north wing just shy of 70 feet in height and a three-story south wing, protecting the scenic views of the Palisades. LG will implement landscape, lighting and other design features to further reduce visual impacts, while retaining the scale of the complex as home for LG's growing U.S. business.
The new 360,000-square-foot building maintains the LG complex's green design that aspires for LEED Platinum certification and includes planting 700 trees and protecting woodlands and six wetlands on the 27-acre site in Englewood Cliffs. Site improvements are expected to significantly reduce runoff into the Palisades and help eliminate flooding issues for neighbors to the south.
The $300-million building project at 111 Sylvan Ave. will allow LG to double its local employment to more than 1,000 by 2019, while creating thousands of much-needed New Jersey construction jobs in the shorter term. Exemplifying ways that LG will give back to the community, the new building will house the LG Science and Environmental Learning Center for local school children to learn about green building among other things.
William Cho, President and CEO of LG Electronics USA, said, "This award recognizes the shared mission of USGBC NJ and LG to build a greener New Jersey. Beyond our exciting new headquarters project, LG is supporting green building projects with our super efficient commercial air conditioning systems, advanced solar and LED lighting solutions, and ENERGY STAR® certified appliances and consumer electronics."
LG was honored at USGBC NJ's 13th Annual Emerald Awards Ball on Oct. 30 at the Conference Center of the LEED® certified University Hall at Montclair State University.
Joining Cho and other LG executives at the gala and awards ceremony were Laurance Rockefeller, the environmental lawyer whose family donated the land 80 years ago that became the basis for the Palisades Interstate Park, and senior representatives of NRDC, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $56 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG Electronics, a proud 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, visit www.lg.com and www.LGenglewoodcliffs.com.
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the Washington-based non-profit organization that is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
About USGBC NJ
The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC NJ) is a non-profit organization focused solely on advancing green building and sustainable communities. The mission of USGBC NJ is to transform New Jersey's built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable and healthy. Through education, advocacy and collaboration, USGBC NJ provides more than 150 educational programs, events, green building tours, research studies, and advocacy initiatives each year, through its three-branch, state-wide network. For over 10 years USGBC NJ has served as the meeting ground, catalyst, and propeller for sustainability-minded individuals in building-related professions. Through the NJ Chapter, LEED and green building in general, have found fertile ground in New Jersey. The New Jersey Chapter's 1,500+ members represent the entire spectrum of New Jersey's green building community. In New Jersey, there are 4,910 LEED accredited professionals, 985 LEED-registered project, 434 LEED-certified projects and more than 2,625 certified LEED Homes (as of August 13, 2015).
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SOURCE LG Electronics USA
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