From Brownfield to Green Building Certification - Accident Fund National Headquarters Awarded Prestigious LEED® Gold Certification

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Gold Certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), for its new national headquarters in  Lansing, Mich.  LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

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Long abandoned, deemed a Brownfield site and threatening to deteriorate, the refurbished Ottawa Street Power Station is now the national headquarters for Accident Fund Holdings and a vibrant anchor in the core of Lansing's downtown.

"This building has been part of Lansing's skyline since 1938 and we have worked hard to maintain the property's historical significance, restoring the Power Station's original Art Deco architectural grandeur," Liz Haar, president and CEO of Accident Fund Holdings, said.  "We are thrilled to see that hard work paid off in our company earning the second-highest LEED certification available."

Accident Fund Holdings achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.  By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC's vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council.  "As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, Accident Fund national headquarters is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement."

LEED certification of Accident Fund national headquarters was based upon a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.  These features include:

• Brownfield redevelopment.
• Construction activity pollution prevention.
• Alternative transportation, public transportation access.
• Bicycle storage and changing rooms.
• Heat Island Effect (roof and non-roof).
• Water efficient landscaping.
• Water use reduction.
• Fundamental commissioning of building energy systems.
• Enhanced refrigerant management.
• Storage and collection of recyclables.
• Construction waste management – 96.5% of all construction waste.
• Recycled content achieving both 10% and 20% of goals.
• Regional materials usage – 32%.
• Minimum Indoor Air Quality performance.
• Low-emitting materials – adhesives and sealants; paints and coatings; carpet systems; composite and wood and agri-fiber products.
• Indoor chemical and pollutant source control.
• Thermal comfort design and verification.

For more information about Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. visit www.afhi.com.

U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.  With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.  Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Over 32,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising over 9.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 114 countries.  By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.  USGBC was co-founded by current President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi, who spent 25 years as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his 15-year leadership, the organization has become the preeminent green building, membership, policy, standards, influential, education and research organization in the nation.  For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.

Accident Fund Holdings, Inc. is a workers compensation insurance holding company conducting business through four operating units: Accident Fund Companies, located in Lansing, Michigan; United Heartland, located in New Berlin, Wisconsin; CompWest, located in San Francisco, California; and Third Coast Underwriters, located in Chicago, Illinois. Its insurance company subsidiaries are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best.  Accident Fund Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

SOURCE Accident Fund Holdings, Inc.