Turner Construction Commits to Green Building Prac
New York, September 27--Turner Corp. Chairman and CEO Thomas C. Leppert announced the company's broad commitment to Green building as a means to continue strengthening Turner's industry leadership position during his keynote speech at the Construction Industry Institute's "2004 Construction Project Improvement" conference in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, September 21st.
In front of an industry audience of approximately 300 attendees, Leppert cited the results of Turner's recent Green Building Survey and highlighted Turner's plan to adopt sustainable construction and business practices throughout the Turner organization. Leppert asserted that Turner's plan to be "the" responsible builder is good for the environment, and also for building owners, developers and occupants. Equally important, these practices are good for the bottom line and serve as an example to the entire construction industry.
"The Turner Green Survey clearly shows that increased exposure to, and experience with, Green buildings leads to greater efficiencies in their planning, construction and management," said Leppert. "As our experience in Green building has grown we've learned that costs, contrary to common belief, can be contained to a level comparable to traditional, non-sustainable buildings and generate additional, important benefits for our clients and our local communities. Turner plans to leverage this experience and increase its already-broad involvement with Green practices for the advantage of our employees, our clients and the environment."
Turner's Commitment to Green
Turner is raising awareness of the importance of sustainable construction by outlining goals to expand its already broad-based capabilities and to address additional market needs. The proposed Turner Green program consists of:
* Construction site recycling on all Turner projects, not just Green projects. Recycling efforts will be phased in until Turner reaches 100%.
* Ensuring that over time all Turner field offices will be Green-friendly. Turner will incorporate field waste recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting on timers, operable windows for natural ventilation and water efficient fixtures.
* Implementing a collaborative sponsorship with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) of the Emerging Builders Program to help improve sustainable building curriculums at colleges and to recognize those students who will continue to promote future of Green building growth.
* Instituting a major Green training program for Turner employees. Turner's sophisticated online tool, Turner Knowledge Network, will help employees learn about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a voluntary standard that is a recognized level of Green achievement by the USGBC, and add to their knowledge of Green field operations guidelines.
* Doubling the number of Turner's LEED-accredited building professionals from 42 to 84 within the next 12 months.
* Creating an advisory council of outside industry experts to provide objective advice on Green best practices and to drive their adoption.
* Naming Turner Green Guru and Senior Vice President Rod Wille to lead Turner's Center of Excellence to link Turner's local and national Green information and provide Turner clients with the competitive edge they deserve.
"From now on, whenever businesses consider undertaking a new building project they should first think Green, and then think of Turner because we have the resources, the experience and the knowledge to do Green right," Leppert said.
