A crisis stabilization unit in El Cajon will be the county government’s 68th facility to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design environmental standards when it opens in 2025, county officials said Monday.
Along with the LEED certification, the unit will be the county’s 11th “Zero Net Energy” building, producing more electrical energy than it uses via solar rooftop panels, natural lighting, air circulation and other green features, according to the county.
The building will also be the third county facility with a lower carbon footprint, courtesy of what is known as “embodied carbon” techniques, officials said.
According to the county, embodied carbon lowers the overall footprint with materials such as low-carbon concrete and naturally grown timber instead of steel. Embodied carbon techniques also include demolition, disposal, installation, low-energy transportation and maintenance.
Marko Medved, county Department of General Services director, said while embodied carbon is newer, it has become the third environmental pillar, used for building sustainable facilities, along with LEED status and Zero Net Energy.
The embodied carbon approach is estimated to reduce carbon emissions needed to build the unit in El Cajon by 30%, Medved said.
Crews broke ground last month on the unit, which provides recovery space for people who experience a behavioral health crisis.
The county has applied Zero Net Energy and LEED standards to building projects for several years, officials said.
“You get there by having an efficient building, having low water use, recycling, using local materials and making the interior environment good for the people who are working in there — having good, natural light, good circulation and good air quality,” Medved said.
The county has numerous green government buildings, including its Operations Center in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood, seven libraries, the Southeastern Live Well Center and East Otay Mesa Fire Station.