World's most famous office building's more than $500 million upgrade program to incorporate comprehensive project with goal to reduce energy use by nearly 40 percent NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Using the Empire State Building as a test case and model, world-class environmental consulting, non-profit, design and construction partners - including the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE:JCI) (JCI) and Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE:JLL) (JLL) - today unveiled an innovative process for analyzing and retrofitting existing structures for environmental sustainability. Adopted as core elements of the more than $500 million upgrade program presently underway at the world's most famous office building, the program is the first comprehensive approach that integrates many steps to use energy more productively. The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38 percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects around the world. Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to be completed by year-end 2010. The balance of the work in tenant spaces should be concluded by end of 2013. Work that is scheduled to be completed within 18 months will result in over 50 percent of the projected energy savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013. The project will prove the viability for energy efficiency retrofit projects to dramatically increase building energy efficiency and reduce its overall carbon output with sensible payback periods and enhanced profitability. At the end of the project definition process, the team analyzed the steps to be taken in conjunction with other steps towards sustainability as part of the Empire State ReBuilding program within the framework of the existing USGBC LEED rating system. Internal calculations show that the Empire State Building will be able to qualify for GOLD certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings, and ownership intends to pursue such certification.
