MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) has begun construction on a new environmentally responsible 10-story building adjacent to its headquarters in Minnetonka. The new facility, planned for completion in 2008, reflects UnitedHealth Group’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and is slated to be among the first LEED-certified buildings in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System – is the most respected and widely used environmental standard for commercial buildings and a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of environmentally responsible architecture. Buildings are one of the greatest contributors to global climate change and, according to the American Institute of Architects, produce approximately one-third of carbon dioxide emissions. “Improving a building’s energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways a company can reduce its utility costs and help curb greenhouse gas emissions. With our new ‘green’ facility, UnitedHealth Group will not only minimize our company’s carbon footprint but also help promote energy-efficient architecture in the Twin Cities. This type of common-sense approach we believe is an important step that will help us address the challenge of global warming,” said Lois Quam, president of UnitedHealth Group’s Public and Senior Markets Group. “This project is a logical extension of our energy-efficient approach to design and construction,” said Robert Oberrender, UnitedHealth Group senior vice president and treasurer and the executive responsible for real estate operations. “Reducing our energy dependence companywide is an important goal for UnitedHealth Group; today, 13 UNH facilities already qualify for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star rating. The new ‘green’ building continues that effort and reinforces our commitment to environmental sustainability.” The LEED rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Approximately 20 percent of government buildings are constructed by LEED standards, but only 5 percent of commercial buildings are currently LEED-certified. While a number of companies have recently sought LEED certification, there are currently only six LEED-certified buildings in Minnesota. “Green-building makes sense from both a corporate and environmental perspective. It lowers energy costs and creates a more healthful and productive work environment. As a health care company, UnitedHealth Group takes a particular interest in innovations – health-related or otherwise – that promote health and well-being,” Quam added. According to the USGBC, ‘green’ buildings, on average, use 30-percent less energy than conventional buildings. Studies show that improved indoor environments can increase employee productivity by up to 16 percent. The EPA estimates building-related illnesses account for $60 billion of annual productivity lost each year.
